[Tumor ablation with focalized ultrasound.  In vivo experiment with prostatic adenocarcinoma R3327 Mat-Ly-Lu]. 
Ultrasound can induce tissue lesions by a combination of thermal and mechanical effects related to the tissue absorption of the energy emitted at the focal point of the transducer.  The effects of focused ultrasound were studied in vivo in Fisher/Copenhagen hybrid rats bearing Dunning R3327 experimental prostatic carcinoma.  The experimental tumour was transplanted by subcutaneous injection into the abdomen of 20 mg of tumour tissue derived from the Mat-Ly-Lu strain.  Treatment was performed under general anaesthesia.  The animal, maintained in a sarcophage exposing the tumour, was immersed in degassed water ensuring the interface between the tumour and the 1 MHz transducer.  The displacements of the transducer were guided by computerised ultrasound screening, allowing irradiation of the entire tumour.  The energy was supplied by a 7.5 kW amplifier in the form of series of impulses of variable duration.  77 rats were treated and the tumour growth was compared to that of non-irradiated control rats.  Comparative series demonstrated the following results: 1.  Immediate tumour destruction was obtained with a very high acoustic intensity (9,000 Watts/cm2) and a brief exposure time.  2.  A transient slowing of the tumour growth rate was observed for an acoustic intensity of between 3,500 and 5,500 Watts/cm2.  3.  Partial or total necrosis of the tumour was obtained with intensities of between 300 and 2,750 Watts/cm2 and a long exposure time.  Total tumour destruction was obtained in 30 of the 49 rats treated under these conditions.  14 animals developed a local recurrence, 9 animals did not develop a local recurrence but developed metastases and 7 animals obtained long-term survival without local recurrence or metastasis.  Under certain experimental conditions, focused ultrasound, without any adjuvant treatment, was able to destroy the Dunning R3327 Mat-Ly-Lu strain experimental tumour and, in certain cases, induced complete cure of this experimental cancer.