Histotripsy: Treating liver tumors with sound waves

Histotripsy uses ultrasound waves to create tiny bubbles within the tumor. As the bubbles collapse, they break down the cancerous tissue, all while leaving the healthy liver tissue untouched. Histotripsy is performed under general anesthesia and can be completed in as little as one treatment. Because it is a non-invasive procedure, histotripsy results in little to no pain and virtually no side effects. Typically, patients can return to their normal activities immediately after recovery from anesthesia.

Non-invasive
The procedure does not require any incisions, needles, or other insertions through the skin. This almost eliminates the risk of infection and reduces risk of other complications, and it results in a quick recovery for patients. Some patients who are at risk for developing blood clots in the treatment area will need to take a blood thinner or anticoagulant pill after histotripsy.

Single treatment
Most tumors can be effectively destroyed in a single treatment session. Depending on your clinical condition and treatment plan, multiple treatment sessions may be necessary.

Targeted
Histotripsy can be used to precisely target and destroy unwanted tissue, such as tumors, while preventing damage to surrounding tissue. Your chemotherapy does not have to be interrupted or stopped when you undergo histotripsy. Since there is virtually no risk of bleeding, you continue to take your anticoagulation meds.

Step 1: Consultation
We will schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable physicians to answer questions and discuss eligibility for the procedure to see whether histotripsy is right for you. We will then obtain insurance approval. Once you are approved for histotripsy, a date and time will be scheduled for the procedure.

Step 2: Prep
Your provider will speak with you regarding instructions before your planned procedure. These instructions may require dietary restrictions prior to the date of your procedure.

Step 3: Day of Procedure
Once checking in for your procedure at USA Health University Hospital, you will be guided into a room housing the histotripsy system. Your provider may perform an ultrasound for additional confirmation of the tumor location in the liver. General anesthesia will be administered, and your physician will place a histotripsy treatment head over the targeted tumor.

Step 4: Histotripsy Treatment
During the procedure, the treatment head delivers sound waves to the targeted area while your physician uses ultrasound imaging to monitor the treatment. The procedure time will vary depending on specific variables and the number of histotripsy treatments delivered in one session.

Step 5: Recovery
After the treatment, you will recover in a post-anesthesia recovery room. Most patients experience minimal or no pain and are discharged the same day. A post-treatment CT scan is performed either on the day of the procedure or the next day. Typically, patients return to their normal activities after complete recovery from anesthesia, usually the day after the procedure.