The FDA approves tumor-destroying sound waves

The university of Michigan develops a noninvasive alternative technique for cancer treatments.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of sound waves to break down tumors—a technique called histotripsy—in humans for liver treatment.

The University of Michigan has lead the reasearch and development of histotripsy. It's a promising alternative to cancer treatments that often come unpleasant side effects. FDA officials recently ok'd HistoSonics, a company co-founded in 2009 by U of M engineers. A human trial underway since 2021 at the university'sSo far, the technology’s ability to meet the testing’s primary effectiveness and safety targets is promising.

Mishal Mendiratta-Lala is the principal investigator and aprofessor of radiology with Michigan Medicine and they were noted saying:

Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that, although it is in early stages of clinical use, may provide a noninvasive treatment option for patients with liver cancer. Hopefully it can be combined with systemic therapies for a synergistic therapeutic effect

— Mishal Mendiratta-Lala

Edison—HistoSonics histotripsy delivery platform—will soon make its way to hospitals and medical professionals for use in liver treatments. It works with targeted ultrasound waves that form microbubbles within the tumor. This process cause the mass to break apart while killing tumor cells and leaving the debris to be cleaned up by our wonderful immune system.

What that could mean for patients is treatment without the physical toll of radiation or chemotherapy, fewer concerns with drug compatibility, far shorter recovery times than with surgery and less treatment discomfort.

Treatment is much easier because histotripsy treatment ensures that the wwaves are hitting the tumor, and not healthy tissue, compared to current more invasive procedures. The focused acoustic waves of high energy ultrasound  concentrate the energy enough to form bubbles. The Edison machine makes sure that region is confined to the tumor. This is in contras tot radiation which doesn't discriminate against cells.

A bonus of this new technology is the onboard diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Just like monitoring a baby in the womb, doctor's can observe the treatment in real time. Physicians can visualize the “bubble cloud” in real time and assess how patient is responding to the therapy.

So what relevance does this have to our wellness?

This new technology and research demonstrate how sound and potentially music can have profound impacts on our physical health. Something we might not have fathomed decades ago, is now real science we use to evolve some really invasive treatments. If we can manipulate specfic cells in our brain to destroy cnacerous ones and preserve helthy cells, then it's not so ridiculous to think about the physycal and mental benefits in our wellness practice.

Music gives life

According to Endeavour Health, music can have real impacts on our wellbeing in mind and body.

It’s good for our blood flow and heart‍

Blood flows more easily when music is played and it can also reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels. My silent disco approach allows classes to flow more freely, with more relaxation, high energy, and maximize blood flow. Not only does this enhance your integration, it also make the experience fun and opens us to be more vulnerable and open to change.

Music ups the vibe

Dopamine, sometimes referred ti as the happy chemical, can be elevated in our bloodstream by music. This reduces feelings of anxiety and low mood because we process music ion our amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates mood and emotions. We give ourself the best chance at a beneficial practice by helping our amygdala keep us calm and grounded.‍

Music is the stress killer

Not only is this research backed but we all have felt that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers. When we listen to our favourte songs or something with energy or sadness, it changes our response to the world around us. Music can relive symptoms of depression and shift our mood and focus to live more in the moment.

It increases workout endurance

Much like a battle cry might give a warrior that extra level of perceived strength to fight in battle, music give us more endurance and energy to push ourselves. performance can be enhanced by the right playlist, allowing us to get the most out of movement.

Sound is a powerful mechanism that seems inherently connected to our mind and body

Even without research and evidence based annecdotes, we all know that music is a connector. No matter who you are you have a favourite artist and song and deep memories connected to sound. Music is profound and that's why it helps me create meaningfully profound wellness programming to give you the best chance at sustainable wellness.