MRI Guided HIFU offers a non-invasive alternative to the traditional treatments for uterine fibroids in women. It combines magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The benefits for women include – no surgery, no radiation, no scar, no anesthesia, quicker recovery, more precise image guided treatment with minimal stress. The technology has tremendous applications in the non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors.

The MRI Guided HIFU system was first clinically approved for the treatment of non-cancerous tumors like uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. As many as 3 out of 4 women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives, but most are unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms. The doctor may discover them incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound.

In women who have symptoms, the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual periods (seven days or more of menstrual bleeding), pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, difficulty emptying your bladder, constipation, backache or leg pains.

Existing treatment options for women included medication or surgical removal of fibroids. In contrast to the existing treatment options of surgery to remove fibroids, MR-HIFU offers women a quicker, non-invasive and precise treatment option. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, with the patient leaving the hospital the same day and almost fully recovered within a few days.

The MR-HIFU system uses safe and focused ultrasound waves to heat and coagulate benign or cancerous tumor tissue deep inside the body without damaging intervening tissue, and this combines with advanced treatment planning, guidance and temperature monitoring provided by MRI.

Apollo Hospitals is the first chain of hospitals to introduce MR- HIFU system in India.