Physicians at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell recently performed the first liver histotripsy procedure in Mercer and Bucks Counties, marking a major milestone for Capital Health Cancer Center and patients in the community. The debut of non-invasive histotripsy demonstrates Capital Health’s continued focus on providing the most advanced treatments possible. Capital Health’s Histotripsy Program is led by Dr. Cataldo Doria, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director at Capital Health Cancer Center; Dr. Ajay Choudhri, interventional radiologist and chairman of the Department of Radiology; and Dr. Nikhil Thaker, medical director of Radiation Oncology.
“Histotripsy is a groundbreaking non-invasive procedure that uses advanced imaging and ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tumors with no cutting or probing,” said Dr. Doria. “Typical candidates have primary or secondary liver tumors or symptomatic benign liver growths. If necessary, multiple lesions can be treated in the same session, and most patients go home the same day and can resume normal activities fairly quickly.”
During a histotripsy procedure, an ultrasound machine connected to a mobile robotic arm delivers pulses that create microbubbles at a focal point to break down and dissolve the diseased liver tumor tissue without piercing the skin. Histotripsy can be used to treat patients who are not candidates for surgery or may have previously been told their tumors are inoperable. Additionally, histotripsy can be used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver. It is compatible with other forms of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
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. Learn more at capitalhealthcancer.org/histo.
To schedule a histotripsy consultation, call 609.537.6000.