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Histotripsy

Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo
27700 Medical Center Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
45.1 miles away
949-987-4103
949-987-4103

Histotripsy

Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo

Histotripsy: A Breakthrough Liver Cancer Therapy

Histotripsy is a revolutionary treatment for both cancerous and non-cancerous liver tumors, as well as metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver. This FDA-approved procedure uses high-energy ultrasound waves that convert to sonic beams and destroy liver tumors – without a single incision or needle.

Medical professionals with advanced equipment.

Histotripsy is a type of cancer treatment that uses targeted ultrasound waves to destroy tumors in a non-invasive way. The concentrated ultrasound waves destroy tumor cells by rapidly expanding and contracting the gases that are naturally inside them. The treatment is instant, so as soon as the histotripsy is delivered, the tissue is destroyed. The liquified tumor then gets absorbed naturally by the body’s immune response.

Histotripsy is a robotic-assisted procedure performed by our specially trained physicians using sophisticated imaging technology.

  • Using diagnostic ultrasound, your doctor monitors the treatment area in real-time.
  • The procedure begins with a soft, flexible membrane positioned over the liver, filled with degassed water. This water helps transmit sound waves from the device to the target treatment area.
  • The focused ultrasound waves generate a bubble cloud inside the tumor, disrupting and destroying only cancerous tissue.
  • After the cancerous tissue is liquefied, only tiny molecules remain in the body. These microscopic fragments are too small to allow the cancer to spread and regrow.

  • Effective: Histotripsy has shown a 95.5% success rate in clinical trials, and multiple tumors can be treated in a single therapy session.
  • Precise: It can be used to target and destroy only unwanted tissue, such as tumors, without causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Noninvasive: The procedure allows you to avoid incisions, needles, or other insertions through the skin. Instead, you receive painless general anesthesia to minimize movement during treatment and typically go home the same day.
  • Fewer side effects: Because histotripsy doesn’t require incisions, it reduces the risk of infection, bleeding, long recovery times and other complications. Typically, it has little to no side effects; most patients return home the same day and quickly resume normal activities with minimal discomfort.
  • Repeatable: Patients can have multiple histotripsy treatments.
  • Compatible: Histotripsy is compatible with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. It can also be used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver.

Histotripsy can be used to effectively treat liver tumors in patients who aren’t candidates for open surgery or have been told their liver tumor is inoperable. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and it can also be used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver.

However, first there are several factors that must be assessed and discussed with your doctor – like the size and number of tumors – to determine if you’re a candidate.

  • A histotripsy treatment typically takes between 1-3 hours, but procedure time varies depending on specific factors and the number of histotripsy treatments being delivered.
  • Many patients return home on the same day as the procedure, or the day after, and resume their normal activities quickly.

Histotripsy: New Treatment for Liver Cancer

See how this innovative technology is redefining liver tumor treatment.

How Our Providers Are Impacting Patients

“Because histotripsy is noninvasive it opens up treatment for liver tumors to a host of patients who otherwise wouldn’t be candidates for surgery. There’s no incision, no needles, no bleeding. There’s no other treatment like this.”

Kevin Burns, MD | Interventional Radiologist, Providence Mission Hospital

“Because histotripsy is noninvasive it opens up treatment for liver tumors to a host of patients who otherwise wouldn’t be candidates for surgery. There’s no incision, no needles, no bleeding. There’s no other treatment like this.”

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The Power of Our Network

Part of the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County

From diagnosis to recovery and beyond, we’re with our patients every step of the way. We’ve integrated three nationally accredited cancer programs – Mission, St. Joseph and St. Jude – to provide you with:

  • Board-certified cancer specialists who collaborate across locations to provide convenient, connected care close to your home or work.
  • Innovative screening that can detect more than 50 types of cancer through a single blood draw.
  • Patient navigators for each cancer type who will help you manage your treatment and find the resources you need.

Learn more about the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County

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