Thermal ablation via focused ultrasound

Thermal ablation via focused ultrasound (often delivered by high-intensity focused ultrasound, HIFU) is a non-invasive therapeutic procedure that uses focused acoustic energy to rapidly raise the temperature within a defined tissue volume, resulting in precise, localized destruction of tumor or targeted tissue through protein denaturation and coagulative necrosis. MRI or ultrasound guidance allows for millimeter-level targeting and real-time monitoring. This modality is FDA-cleared or approved for several indications, primarily in oncology and certain neurological disorders, and ongoing research explores combinatorial regimens with immuno-oncology drugs and techniques for blood-brain barrier disruption.

Other names

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablationHIFUMR-guided focused ultrasound ablationMRgFUS (Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound)Focused ultrasound ablation

Localized thermal ablation (direct heating induces protein denaturation, cell lysis, and coagulative necrosis) Mechanical ablation (cavitation and tissue fractionation in some protocols) Potential immune modulation (secondary effect through antigen presentation after tumor cell kill)