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Ultrasound
Therapeutics Ltd Brings Radical New Chinese Cancer Treatment to the
Western World
OXFORD
,
England
, September 22/PRNewswire/ --
It may not be the
complete answer for every cancer patient but thanks to
recent European approval (CE Mark) thousands of liver and kidney cancer
sufferers across the World could now benefit
from a remarkable piece of proven
medical technology from
China
.
Since 1997 the model-JC Tumour Therapy System (Chongqing Haifu(TM)
Technology Co,
China
) has successfully treated over 8,000 patients with a variety
of cancers at over 20 centres in the
Far East
. Supported by successful clinical
trials performed at The Churchill Hospital in
Oxford
, UK
- funded by
UK
based company, Ultrasound Therapeutics Ltd - the equipment has
recently been awarded CE approval certification, the first major therapeutic
device from
China
to have gained CE approval. The granting of this
stringent European qualification could now mean new hope for cancer
patients seeking effective tumour treatment
in the West.
Whilst diagnostic ultrasound scans will be familiar to thousands of
pregnant women, High-Intensity Focused
Ultrasound (HIFU) concentrates the energy
to a very small focal point. These focused waves have the ability to
literally 'cook'
tumours without the need for potentially hazardous open surgery.
The process requires no incision and also has the added benefit of
minimal toxicity - unlike chemo or
radiotherapy. However, in some cases, there
is no reason why the process cannot be used in conjunction with other
established cancer treatments.
The model-JC Tumour Therapy System focuses ultrasound waves inside the
body and the point of focus is 'aimed' by
the operator using ultrasound imaging
techniques. This allows the doctors operating the machine to guide
the focus directly in to the tumour without
any damage to the surrounding tissue.
In order to keep the patient perfectly still throughout, the procedure
is carried out under general anaesthetic.
In terms of side effects, the only post-treatment discomfort observed
were tiny and insignificant skin blisters
and a small number of patients needed
little more than mild pain relief the following day. This information
only serves to corroborate the experience
reported from
China
and the Far East.
The Churchill trials show successful targeted focal ablation in 95% of
treated liver tumours and, in the most
recent trials, kidney tumours have also
been successfully treated. The centre is still undertaking further
trials but is also able to consider
off-trial referrals as appropriate. It must
be noted that all referrals will be discussed in detail with local
oncologists to ensure feasibility and
practicality of all potential treatments.
Recent publications in respected journals also show benefits to patients
with pancreatic, breast and some bone cancers.
Ultrasound Therapeutics Ltd
Ultrasound Therapeutics Ltd has pioneered and funded the HIFU process in
the Western World and is currently
investigating HIFU's enormous potential in several
other areas of medicine for both benign and malignant conditions.
The Stockport-based firm is a private company funded by its
shareholders.
www.utlltd.com
Patient enquiry number: +44(0)871-2300424
Source: Ultrasound Therapeutics Ltd
For sales information
please contact David Wild, on +44-(0)-161-477-6111 or email davidwild@utlltd.com
(24/9/05)
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