In a significant breakthrough in the field of non-invasive treatments for breast cancer,scientists from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah Health(Salt Lake City,UT,USA;www.healthcare.utah.edu) have developed a technology capable of eliminating tumors without the need for surgical intervention,all within an outpatient setting.

The MUSE breast cancer treatment system employs a twostep,non-surgical approach for locating and ablating,or removing,breast tumors,

Initially,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is utilized to identify and pinpoint the tumors.

Once the tumors are located,focused ultrasound technology is used to heat and subsequently destroy the cancerous cells.

The entire treatment,which allows the patient to stay awake,takes about 90 minutes and is completed within a few hours.