Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with desmoid tumors. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasonic energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> Advantages<\/strong> For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications and lower cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial<\/a> <\/strong>at Oxford University is evaluating the safety and feasibility of HIFU ablation of soft tissue tumors and intra-abdominal desmoid tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See a list of treatment sites ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n See a list of laboratory research sites ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Search for a treatment center or clinical trial near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Model JC Haifu system has received regulatory approval in Europe for treatment of soft tissue tumors, including desmoid tumors. At present, focused ultrasound is not universally reimbursed for treatment of desmoid tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation<\/strong> Rehman S, McCarthy C, Chetan M, Li YL, Gillies M, Cosker T, Wu F, Lyon PC. Imaging and intervention for soft tissue tumours in the era of locoregional therapies and immunotherapy<\/strong><\/a>. Clin Radiol. 2025 Aug;87:106969. doi: 10.1016\/j.crad.2025.106969. Epub 2025 May 24. PMID: 40533275\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chetan M, Gillies M, Rehman S, McCarthy C, Cosker T, Wu F, Lyon PC. High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of unresectable soft tissue sarcoma and desmoid tumours – a systematic review<\/strong><\/a>. Clin Radiol. 2025 Aug;87:106977. doi: 10.1016\/j.crad.2025.106977. Epub 2025 Jun 2. PMID: 40570819 \u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quek LHH, Chan LWM, Pua U. Local Treatment of Desmoid Tumors: An Update<\/strong><\/a>. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2024 Jul 10;41(2):135-143. doi: 10.1055\/s-0044-1786813. eCollection 2024 Apr. PMID: 38993596 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Garnon J, Cazzato RL, Autrusseau PA, Koch G, Weiss J, Gantzer J, Kurtz JE, Gangi A. Desmoid fibromatosis: IR (sometimes) to the rescue for an atypical disease<\/strong><\/a>. Br J Radiol. 2024 Jul 12:tqae128. doi: 10.1093\/bjr\/tqae128. PMID: 38995730 <\/p>\n\n\n\n D\u00fcx DM, Baal JD, Bitton R, Chen J, Brunsing RL, Sheth VR, Rosenberg J, Kim K, Ozhinsky E, Avedian R, Ganjoo K, Bucknor M, Dobrotwir A, Ghanouni P. MR-guided focused ultrasound therapy of extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: a multicenter retrospective study of 105 patients<\/strong><\/a>. Eur Radiol. 2024 Feb;34(2):1137-1145. doi: 10.1007\/s00330-023-10073-9. Epub 2023 Aug 24. PMID: 37615768 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chen Y, Yu Q, Xu Y, Qian G, Zheng Y, Jiang L, Hu B. Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blockade in high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: a case series<\/strong><\/a>. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2024 Jan 3;14(1):1225-1233. doi: 10.21037\/qims-23-516. Epub 2023 Nov 6. PMID: 38223099 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Huang K, Hong R, Luo L, Zhao H, Wang Y, Li Y, Jiang Y, Zhou H, Li F. Efficacy and safety of different thermal ablative therapies for desmoid-type fibromatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis<\/strong><\/a>. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2023 Oct 1;13(10):6683-6697. doi: 10.21037\/qims-23-289. Epub 2023 Sep 11. PMID: 37869315 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeo SY, Bratke G, Kn\u00f6ll P, Walter SG, Maintz D, Gr\u00fcll H. Case Report: Desmoid tumor response to magnetic resonance-guided high intensity focused ultrasound over 4 years<\/strong><\/a>. Front Oncol. 2023 Jun 9;13:1124244. doi: 10.3389\/fonc.2023.1124244. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37361566 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction of tissue) enabling desmoids to be treated without surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary options for treatment of desmoids include surgery with the possibility of chemotherapy or radiation which can be needed depending on the location of the tumor.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find a Treatment Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Patient Advocacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>The DTFR encourages you to join the DTRF Patient Registry<\/a> <\/strong>to facilitate research efforts. With access to your experience as a patient, researchers will be able to continue learning and making new discoveries in the field of desmoid tumors. If you have ever had a desmoid tumor, you can participate. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNotable Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n