Ultrasonic therapy for gynecologic tumors

Clinical and potential applications of ultrasonic therapy for gynecologic tumors are overviewed in this minireview. As a noninvasive technique, extracorporeal high-intensity focused ultrasound was clinically used to treat uterine myomas. High-intensity focused ultrasound treats leiomyomas via shrinkage of tumor size, reduction of blood supply, and suppression of cell proliferation, resulting in a relief of symptoms and improvement of quality of life. Preclinical trials have confirmed that ultrasound enhanced a cytotoxic agent against cancers of ovary and cervix; insonation overcomes doxorubicin (adriamycin) and cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancers, suggesting a modality for refractory lesions; ultrasonic hyperthermia induces high temperature increase in deeper cancer tissues thus being a potential modality for treatment of cervical cancers. Transvaginal ultrasonic therapy can be applied for a lesion near the cervix. In summary, ultrasonic therapy is a promising treatment modality for gynecologic tumors, and might change clinical practices.