Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell will be the first and only hospital in the Mercer and Bucks County region to offer histotripsy, a non-invasive treatment option for liver tumors, when the Edison System arrives this summer. Dr. Cataldo Doria, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center, Dr. Ajay Choudhri, an interventional radiologist and chairman of the Radiology Department at Capital Health, and Dr. Nikhil Thaker, medical director of Radiation Oncology lead the team at the Cancer Center’s Liver Center of Excellence that performs histotripsy. This groundbreaking procedure uses advanced imaging and ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tumors in a single outpatient procedure with no cutting or probing.
“Capital Health Cancer Center consistently commits to bringing new and promising technologies like this to patients in our area,” said Dr. Doria. “Histotripsy destroys targeted tissues without the intense energy of radiation, heat damage from thermal technologies, or incisions or needles from traditional treatments that can damage surrounding healthy structures. The additional benefits of less pain, shorter recovery time, and fewer complications also help ensure patients experience the best possible clinical outcomes.”
Histotripsy is a revolutionary non-invasive solution for patients with liver cancer, including those who are not candidates for surgery or may have previously been told their tumors are inoperable. Dr. Doria and his team use the histotripsy devices (an ultrasound machine connected to a mobile robotic arm) to deliver precisely targeted treatment. Ultrasound pulses create microbubbles at a focal point, which break down and dissolve the diseased liver tumor tissue without piercing the skin. Histotripsy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of liver tumors, and doctors and researchers have studied it for more than 20 years, including clinical trials. There are ongoing studies surrounding the use of histotripsy for treating tumors in the pancreas, brain, prostate, kidney and other areas. As FDA approvals are granted, the team at Capital Health Cancer Center plans to expand their histotripsy program to these new sites.
Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, is home to the Liver Center of Excellence as well as other centers of excellence specializing in breast care, lung health, neuro-oncology, pancreatic health, and robotic-assisted surgery. To learn more, visit capitalhealthcancer.org. To schedule a histotripsy consultation with Dr. Doria, call 609.537.6000.