Louisville HIFU Cancer Lawsuit Attorney

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a very new way to treat cancer, and proponents claim that HIFU has fewer negative side effects than traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. By directing ultrasound waves to heat affected tissues at the source, HIFU eliminates cancer-causing cells without the need for invasive surgery and long recovery times – at least, according to those who sell these treatments.

However, HIFU has long been banned in the United States, with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) twice recommending against HIFU devices as a sufficient treatment for cancer, citing the lack of long-term clinical evidence. In October 2015, the FDA eventually approved SonaCare Medical’s HIFU devices, but only for the ablation of prostate tissue: not as a full treatment for cancer. In its review, the FDA noted that the “oncological outcomes [from this study] were inconclusive.”

At Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC, our defective medical device attorneys are ready to help those who have developed more aggressive cancer (or suffered a return of their cancer) due to HIFU treatments. Based in Louisville, our experienced HIFU cancer lawsuit attorneys can help Kentucky residents seek compensation for physician negligence.

Contact our legal team at (502) 244-7772 for a free consultation today.

The Costs of HIFU Treatments for Cancer

High-intensity focused ultrasound treatments rely on the theory that you can “ablate” or reduce the main tumor using heat, rather than removing the patient’s affected tissues altogether or using radiation to kill cancerous cells. However, medical researchers are not in agreement on this point. As of 2020, there is only four to five years of clinical data on HIFU treatments, which makes it almost impossible to tell whether existing patients will suffer a recurrence of their cancer later on.

Although HIFU machines have been used in Europe for a few years now, the lack of FDA approval for HIFU devices has made this treatment relatively rare in the United States, with many patients even traveling overseas to seek it out. Insurers and Medicare often will not pay for FDA-approved HIFU treatments, as there is simply not enough clinical evidence that HIFU can eliminate all traces of cancer from affected tissues. That means HIFU treatments can become very costly for cancer patients, ranging between $10,000 and $25,000 for the procedure.

In addition to these high costs, cancer patients who undergo HIFU treatments may be at risk for the following:

• Recurrence of cancer and tumors after the procedure
• Cancer becoming more aggressive
• Costs of chemotherapy and surgery after HIFU fails
• Unknown long-term side effects for the affected area

Do I Have Grounds for a HIFU Cancer Lawsuit?

Doctors have a responsibility to uphold the “standard of care” when treating patients, particularly for serious and life-threatening conditions like cancer. They also have an obligation to recommend cancer treatments that can give their patients the best chances of survival and healing.

Because HIFU is only approved for tissue ablation procedures, doctors should not present this as a fully-formed alternative to other cancer treatments. If your physician recommended HIFU treatment by presenting it as a safe and proven solution, and you suffered a worsening or return of your cancer as a result, consult with a medical malpractice lawyer in Louisville to find out if you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you had HIFU surgery in the past and developed a more aggressive form of cancer or suffered a relapse, our Louisville injury attorneys at Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC can apply decades of experience to your claim, and help you fight for fair compensation. Reach out to our Louisville HIFU cancer lawyers for expert legal help with your case.

Contact us online to schedule a free consultation or call (502) 244-7772 to get started.