Histotripsy
Histotripsy uses a robotic machine to target cancerous tumors with precise sound waves, breaking them apart without the need for surgery, needles or radiation.
What diseases does histotripsy treat?
Histotripsy can treat primary liver cancer tumors along with other cancers that have metastasized (spread) to the liver.
Who gets histotripsy?
Histotripsy is a treatment option for patients with liver tumors, including primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma or HCC) and liver tumors that have spread from other sites like colon or neuroendocrine tumors. It is recommended for patients with up to three tumors that are less than 3 cm and in locations that are ideal for treatment.
Why would histotripsy be chosen over surgery or another treatment option?
Currently, MD Anderson only uses histotripsy in cases where more proven treatments are not viable options. For example, certain physical challenges, such as the location of the condition, or a patient’s history of surgery or radiation may make surgery or ablation unsafe. Additionally, because histotripsy is the least invasive option, it may be preferred for patients who are not ideal candidates for other treatments.
What happens during a histotripsy procedure?
During a histotripsy procedure, patients are placed under general anesthesia to control breathing and minimize movement of the tumor during the treatment. The sound wave generator of the histotripsy machine is lowered into a frame with a soft, flexible membrane at the bottom that is filled with specially treated water. This membrane rests on the patient’s abdomen, allowing the sound waves to reach the tumor. The treatment itself typically lasts anywhere between 5 and 50 minutes, depending on the tumor’s size and location. Most patients can go home the same day and often return to normal activities quickly.
Whether you need to stay in the hospital overnight after the treatment depends on factors like whether you’re experiencing pain. Your care team will assess your situation and decide when you should return for follow-up care. Over time, the damaged tissue will be gradually replaced by healthy liver tissue.
Histotripsy procedures are currently performed at the MD Anderson Main Campus in the Texas Medical Center.
What are the side effects of histotripsy?
Although histotripsy is non-invasive, it involves destroying tissue and carries similar risks to other ablation therapies. Potential complications include bleeding and infection, though these risks are generally lower than with invasive procedures. The treatment requires general anesthesia, and possible side effects may include pain or discomfort following the procedure.
Histotripsy at MD Anderson
Choosing where to go for cancer care is one of the most important decisions you can make. At MD Anderson, patients are treated by a team of doctors that usually includes a medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist and interventional radiologist. They work together to design a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient.
Whether the team recommends histotripsy or some other therapy to treat your tumor, you’ll get care from leaders in the field. Our doctors are among the most experienced in the world at cancer treatment. This gives them incredible experience and expertise when designing each treatment. As members of a top-ranked cancer center, they have access to the most advanced technologies, allowing them to deliver the most effective treatment while minimizing side effects.
And at MD Anderson, you will be surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's largest and most experienced cancer centers. From support groups to counseling to integrative medicine care, we have all the services needed to treat not just the disease, but the whole person.
