Grisham inks medical novel focused on focused ultrasound; Calls it “most important” he’s ever written.

Bestselling author John Grisham has stepped out of the legal thriller genre to write The Tumor, a fictional tale centering around a very real medical technology: focused ultrasound.

The book follows a fictional patient who is diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and the differences between treatment with current state-of-the-art tech and treatment with focused ultrasound 9 years in the future.

“As a lawyer turned author, I know little about medicine and medical research. But when I learned about focused ultrasound and its potential to change lives, I knew it was a story worth telling. This is the most important book I have ever written. I have found no other cause that can potentially save so many lives. One day, in the not-too-distant future, you or someone you love will be diagnosed with a tumor. After the shock, you will think of focused ultrasound. Let’s hope it’s available.” Grisham said in prepared remarks.

The novel’s fictional patient Paul follows 2 paths; in the 1st, he dies after state-of-the art treatment with invasive brain surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In the alternate timeline, set in 2025, high frequency focused ultrasound is used to destroy the tumor and activate nanoparticles that deliver highly concentrated chemotherapy.

Grisham wrote the book to raise awareness and funds for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, and to accelerate development and adoption of focused ultrasound technologies.

“John has been a board member and steadfast supporter of our Foundation for years. We are fortunate to have such a noteworthy advocate helping to spread the word about this game-changing therapy. He wants to help ensure that focused ultrasound is part of our future. Though in its infancy, there is great potential for this technology to improve quality of life and decrease cost of care. But progress is too slow, and we want to help make it available sooner to help as many people as possible,” Focused Ultrasound Foundation chair Dr. Neal Kassell said in a press release.

Focused ultrasound uses ultrasonic energy to treat tissue deep in the body without incisions or radiation, and is guided by real time imaging that allows directed, concentrated treatment on targeted tissue.

Focused ultrasound currently has FDA approval to treat uterine fibroids, reduce pain from bone metastases and treat the prostate, the Focused Ultrasound Foundation said.

The book is currently available for free as an Amazon kindle e-book.

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