There is an emerging body of evidence on using sound waves (ultrasound) to raise temperature levels in tumors and dangerous blood clots in order to shrink or eliminate them. The technology company InSightec is at the forefront of experimenting with this modality in the treatment of certain types of cancers and the type of brain strokes that are caused by blood clots. In each case, a high intensity focused ultrasound beam with MRI for image guidance is used to target the tumor or blood clot. Once the target reaches a certain level, it breaks up or dies by a process called coagulative necrosis.
This is a noninvasive procedure that can be less toxic than radiation therapy for cancer patients and safer than the potent injectable drugs that break up clots in stroke patients.
