Guest guest Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 Here’s my concern about this focused ultrasound business: It appears to me, from the selection criteria, and preliminary reports, that they are quite worried about the possibility of accidentally burning up tissue surrounding the tumor(s). I imagine they are also very interested in learning how NOT to do that. I don’t doubt that if they get this thing approved, they’ll use it on other types of tumors as well. But -- just exactly why are they “practicing” on fibroids? Could it be because they consider the uterus to be “dispensable” – and that if they have an accident, it doesn’t really matter -- they’ve only damaged an unnecessary (useless?) organ? That they could always just fix any big mistakes by “simply” performing hysterectomy? Could it be because being benign tumors – fibroids are considered “harmless” – and because it’s not a disaster if you don’t get the whole tumor completely gone? Could it be because it’s easier to get a treatment approved for “harmless” tumors located in “useless” organs? Why are they REALLY doing this? -- is it to learn how to go after fibroids – or to learn how to go after other types of tumors that are surrounded by tissue they CAN’T afford to accidentally burn-up? Tumors where they MUST get the whole thing? -- -- -- If they get to that point, will this treatment continue to be available to women with fibroids? – (especially given the cost of that much MRI time – will anyone’s insurance be willing to cover this cost for “harmless” tumors located in a “useless” organ?) -- or are we just guinea pigs? -- Hey if it works & becomes available to us, great – but will it?? I might not even mind being guinea pigs all that much – if it weren’t for the fact that I suspect the REASON we may be guinea pigs is that there’s an attitude that we have “harmless” tumors which are growing in “dispensable”/even “useless” organs (our uteri)! - I mind perpetuating that attitude – I mind it A LOT. I hope that’s not the case, but I have my suspicions . . . Pat _________________________________________________________________ Keep up with high-tech trends here at " Hook'd on Technology. " http://special.msn.com/msnbc/hookedontech.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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