Best selling author John Grisham writes novel about focused ultrasound

John Grisham, best-selling author known for his legal thrillers such as The Firm and The Pelican Brief, has ventured into the world of diagnostic imaging. His new book, The Tumor, takes a futuristic look at the use of focused ultrasound in 2025. The Tumor should be an addition to the reception and waiting rooms of radiology departments for patients to peruse. What’s more, it’s free for the asking in e-book or hard copy format.

The Tumor follows the life – or more specifically -- the two lives of Paul, a fictional 35-year-old otherwise healthy husband and father who suddenly is diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. When he receives his diagnosis in 2015, he dies within a year, despite receiving state-of-the art brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, another scenario set in 2025 has a different outcome: Paul survives for many more years before ultimately succumbing. The anticipated advances of focused ultrasound therapy in less than two decades converts a short-term-death sentence into a chronic condition that can be managed for many years.

“It’s the most important book I’ve ever written,” Grisham told attendees of a TEDx talk held in December 2015 in Charlottesville, VA. He joined Neal F. Kassell, MD, chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, to explain why he became interested and supportive of the technology. “I have found no other cause, issue, or charity that can potentially save so many lives”

Kassell told the audience that Grisham has been a strong supporter and board member of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation for years. “He wants to help ensure that this game-changing therapy 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.”

One of these persons was in the TEDx Charlottesville audience. A patient with Parkinson’s disease who had been disabled with uncontrollable shaking spoke about how her participation in a focused ultrasound clinical trial transformed her life.

The talks can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here.

Copy of the free of charge e-book or hardcover book The Tumor may be ordered through the Focused Ultrasound Foundation by clicking here.