ABSTRACT

Cavitation and coagulation necrosis due to high temperature caused by application of the high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to a focal area occurs. This feature makes HIFU possible to use in the destruction of cancerous tissue. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of HIFU on Balb/c mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor model to reach effective usage of HIFU with its clinical and experimental applications in various types of cancer.

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were obtained from the intraperitoneal region of a donor mouse. Fresh ehrlich ascites tumor cells were injected into 24 mice that were randomly distributed after tumor formation as a control (Group 1), sham treatment (Group 2) and HIFU treatment (Group 3). HIFU application was performed under ultrasound image until conversion of the hypoechoic tumor tissues to hyperechoic appearances. Tumor size and volumes were measured.

Tumor sizes and volumes in all groups showed an increase after the treatment. Pathologically all tumors were solid carcinoma with an expansive growth pattern. Necrosis percentages in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 70±9.6, 70±9.4 and 75.6±4.17, respectively. With regard to Volume 2, there were significant differences between Group 2 and both Group 1 and 3 (p=0.004 and p=0.0001, respectively).

High intensity focused ultrasound is an effective method in Ehrlich ascites tumor model via prevention of tumor growth and production of necrosis. To achieve a reduction in tumor volume, increasing the duration of HIFU treatment and/or repeatedly application of the treatment is thought to be effective.

Keywords: High intensity focused ultrasound, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, balb/c mice, cancer