Patients Treated Worldwide: The Focused Ultrasound Foundation today announced a historic achievement for the field of noninvasive medicine: more than one million patients worldwide have now been treated with focused ultrasound. This total includes both commercial and clinical trial treatments for more than 70 conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, uterine fibroids, and tumors of the brain, pancreas, prostate, kidneys, breast, and liver.

Focused ultrasound is a rapidly evolving, highly disruptive, noninvasive technology that is revolutionizing the treatment of serious diseases and improving lives as it moves toward becoming a global standard of care. Promising research areas include safely opening the blood-brain barrier to enable more precise drug delivery; enhancing cancer immunotherapy by priming tumors to become more responsive to immunotherapy; and in the use of neuromodulation to modulate brain activity with millimeter precision. To date, the technology is in various stages of research and development for over 180 diseases and conditions, with regulatory approval achieved for 34 indications worldwide.

“Reaching the milestone of more than one million patients treated with focused ultrasound reflects the unwavering commitment of researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and supporters who have propelled the field forward,” said Neal F. Kassell, MD, Founder and Chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to have helped advance the field by accelerating research, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development of new treatments. As focused ultrasound continues to expand in reach and impact, we envision a future where one million patients are treated each year as part of the global standard of care — and we are now at a pivotal point on the adoption curve to make that vision a reality.”

According to data from focused ultrasound manufacturers, uterine fibroids remain the most treated condition, with nearly 379,000 patients receiving care across 535 sites worldwide. Liver tumors rank second, with over 175,000 patients treated at 122 sites. Additionally, approximately 23,000 patients with movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease-related tremor, have been treated at nearly 300 centers globally.

In 2024 alone, over 150,000 patients received focused ultrasound treatment, and new clinical trials advanced its potential in glioblastoma, psychiatric conditions, chronic pain, and more. The Foundation’s 2024 Year in Review report, released today, highlights the field’s most significant progress — including breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disorders, cancer immunotherapy, and neuromodulation. The report also showcases key co-funding partnerships, collaborative workshops, advocacy efforts, and progress in commercialization and reimbursement that are expanding patient access worldwide. Newswise/SP