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MR-guided focused ultrasound is a possible “cost-effective strategy” for uterine fibroid treatment

by Lauren Dubinsky, Senior Reporter | April 24, 2015
Courtesy of Health Quality Ontario
Magnetic Resonance-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgHIFU) can significantly improve fibroid symptoms and post-procedure recovery in women who undergo treatment for uterine fibroids, according to a new evidence review conducted by Health Quality Ontario (HQO)

The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC) has recently recommended MRgHIFU as a potentially cost-effective, safe, effective, non-invasive and uterine-preserving procedure for women seeking uterine fibroid treatment. OHTAC conducted an economic analysis that uncovered that MRgHIFU could save Ontario $4.15 million.

“We expect these reports to facilitate full adoption of focused ultrasound in Ontario and help address the challenges to widespread acceptance of the technology globally, such as insurance reimbursement for procedure costs,” Dr. Neal Kassell, founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, said in a statement.

The OHTAC economic analysis compared MRgHIFU to other fibroid treatments including hysterectomy, myomectomy and uterine artery embolization and found that it “may be a cost-effective strategy at commonly accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds."

The analysis also estimated that Canada’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care spends an estimated $35.5 million per year on fibroid treatments, but that MRgHIFU could save between $1.38 and $4.15 million per year.

There are a few focused ultrasound systems currently on the market today. INSIGHTEC’s ExAblate focused ultrasound system was approved to treat uterine fibroids in the U.S. in 2004 and in Canada in 2013.

Philips Healthcare’s Sonalleve focused ultrasound system was approved in Canada in 2011 and is currently involved in clinical trials in the U.S. In addition, it has been used to treat over 10,000 patients with uterine fibroids in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the U.S.

Focused ultrasound also has regulatory approval in at least one region in the world for the treatment of prostate cancer, liver tumors, thyroid nodules, palliative treatment for bone metastases, breast fibroadenoma and neurological disorders.

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