Ultrasound Thermal Therapy: Patient-Specific Planning for Intraluminal and External Delivery

Abstract

Thermal therapy can be regarded as one of the promising emerging technologies for cancer treatment. In the current study, proof-of concept patient-specific treatment protocols are formulated for high frequency ultrasound thermal therapy for intramural and external delivery. Propagation of ultrasound waves in biological tissue is first determined using the finite difference method, which generates the temperature histories from the bioheat transfer model. Thermal coagulation contours are determined by thermal dose information. From an analysis of the results for a range of parameters, treatment protocols for prostate and breast cancers are developed for a broad spectrum of patients. Results indicate tumors varying in size and location can be targeted effectively using the designs employed. To further improve simulations, thermal damage data for breast cancer is determined through pilot in vitro experiments. The algorithms developed can help optimize the design of delivery equipment and generate accurate patient-specific US clinical protocols.