Raffi S. Avedian, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, “Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Treatment for desmoid tumors.”
Dr. Avedian is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in caring for patients, adults and children, with bone and/or soft tissue tumors. His clinical and research efforts focus on developing and refining treatment strategies for patients with musculoskeletal tumors.
This work is pursued in two separate but related pathways. The first is in refining surgical techniques for extremity tumors and the second is in developing MR guided HIFU as a novel treatment modality for extremity soft tissue tumors. Current treatment modalities for sarcoma and desmoid, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are associated with significant morbidity and side effects such as wound infections, fibrosis, edema, severe nerve injury, and prolonged disability.
New treatment strategies that can either improve tumor control or decrease treatment related morbidity are needed. Dr. Avedian, along with his collaborators in the Radiology Department at Stanford University, have received federal funding to develop MRI guided focused ultrasound as a technique to treat desmoid tumors and continue to work on improving its effectiveness and indications for use.
