Breakthrough new technique destroys cancer using sound waves

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

SCIENTISTS ARE EXPLORING A NEW TECHNIQUE THAT USES SOUND WAVES TO BREAK UP TUMORS AND SPUR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO KILL OFF ANY REMAINING MASSES.

THE TEAM FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IS CURRENTLY TESTING THE NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT ON HUMAN LIVER CANCERS IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL TRIALS IN RATS.

THEY WERE ABLE TO PREVENT FURTHER CANCER SPREAD IN THE MAJORITY OF TRIAL CASES USING HIGH FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND WAVES.

THOUGH THE TECHNOLOGY USES MILLIMETER PRECISION, IN MANY CASES THE WHOLE TUMOR CANNOT BE TARGETED DIRECTLY DUE TO SIZE, LOCATION OR STAGE.

HOWEVER, RESEARCHERS FOUND PARTIALLY DESTROYING TUMORS TO 50 OR 75 PERCENT WAS STILL VERY EFFECTIVE IN RATS.

NOT ONLY DID PARTIAL ABLATION TREATMENTS STOP THE CANCER FROM SPREADING, IN 80 PERCENT OF CASES THE REMAINING TUMORS WERE KILLED BY THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND DID NOT RETURN.

THE STUDY WAS PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL CANCERS.