Another step has been taken towards the ongoing (reachable) goal of providing Focused Ultrasound as the FIRST  choice offered to women in the treatment of fibroids! Focused Ultrasound is ‘on the map’…in INDIA!
A new facility opened at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai.
Col Manesh Masand, CEO of Jaslock Hospital and Research Centre said, “We have been at the forefront  of medical and technology advances for decades. On the eve of our 37th anniversary, we are pleased to take India to the non-invasive surgery era with the FIRST MR Guided Focused Ultrasound system in India and South Asia. With this, patients, especially women in India, neighboring countries, Middle-East and African countries can look forward to surgery without cutting the body or losing a drop of blood.”
How wonderful!!
And just so that you are aware, this is the first HOSPITAL in the world to  introduce MR Guided Focused Ultrasound technology with complete available treatment capabilities: treatment modules for uterine fibroids, bone metastases, breast, prostate and other cancers.
For those of you that may not be aware of Focused Ultrasound…I will (briefly) explain.
This breakthrough technology combines MRI to visualize tissues in the body, plan the treatment and monitor (all in ‘real time’) and (adds) high intensity focused ultrasound to heat or thermally ablate the diseased tissue. MR thermal feedback, provided uniquely by the ExAblate 2000 System, allows the physician to control and adjust the treatment in ‘real time’ to ensure that the targeted tumor is fully treated without damaging the surrounding tissue. This allows the physician to see the difference between treated and non-treated tissue, without ionizing radiation, and view these 3-dimensional images of the targeted-tissue at that exact (‘real-time’) moment!!
If my description of Focused Ultrasound kinda makes you feel as if we are living in the pioneer stage of a non-invasive future (with regards to ‘operations’)…you would be correct! Focused Ultrasound is truly truly amazing and I am thrilled that this technology is expanding to other parts of  the world. I love this styled,  non-invasive treatment modality, as it is (nealrly) trauma-less!!!
Another lovely lovely lovely part of THIS hospital in India can be  best described with a quote from Dr. Shrinivas Desai.
Dr. Desai added: “We are proud to be part of expanding the usage of this miracle technology for usage in conditions like breast, liver and prostate cancers, etc. through research programs at Jaslok Hospital. While we advance the technology use, we will be able to help a number of those needy, poor patients with FREE treatment!”
Now how do you like that? FREE treatment!!! My heart soars when I see/read that…(FREE treatment)…fantastic!
I am pleased-as-punch that this technology is expanding,  and that patients are asking for,  and are aware of this treatment. Mostly, patient options for uterine fibroids are based on the clinicians/Drs. knowledge of existing treatments. BUT, now that the ‘word’ is perculating through the healthcare system,  this fantastic non-invasive treatment option (Focused Ultrasound) is becoming more and more accepted AND opted for! And YOU, yes YOU the patient should be applauded for your help and ‘push’ in taking Focused Ultrasound out from the shadows and into the light as a fantabulous non-invasive option for the treatment of those ferocious-fiends…FIBROIDS!!!
ThankYOU!!!
One more tid-bit of information. The cost of Focused Ultrasound treatment for fibroids in the Jaslok Hospital in India is $1,300 – $2,200 (U.S) dollars!! I repeat ~~  $1,300 – $2,200!!!WOW!! Mine cost $10,000 and it is not an insurable procedure here in the states! Seems to me, that the next step is to GET THIS INSURED already…[sigh]…or perhaps there will be a lot of travel agents preparing itineraries to India (particularly near the Jaslok Hospital!!!)!!!!!! ♥