Treatment in
Hematology Oncology

Histotripsy

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Histotripsy is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-intensity sound waves to destroy liver tumors. Unlike other treatment methods, histotripsy does not require your doctor to make cuts or incisions, use needles, or rely on ionizing radiation. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves the use of ultrasound imaging to locate the targeted tissue and monitor the treatment in real-time.

If you are interested in learning more about whether histotripsy is right for you, contact us at 612-676-4200 to schedule an appointment. 

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Our approach

Histotripsy involves placing a soft, flexible membrane over your abdomen containing specially treated water to allow passage of sound waves. The treatment head is then inserted into this contained water bath and is directed at the targeted liver tumor. 
 

Histotripsy Image


The sound waves, emitted from the treatment head, create a bubble cloud from the rapid expansion and collapse of naturally-occurring gas bubbles within your tissue. This bubble cloud destroys the targeted tissue.
 

Histotripsy Image 02

What are the Benefits of Histotripsy?

Non-invasive: 

The procedure does not require any incisions, needles, or other insertions through the skin which can help reduce the risk of infection, bleeding, long recovery times and other complications.

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 minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

What Are the Main Steps in a Histotripsy Procedure?

Histotripsy procedures involve many patient-specific variables, including the severity of your disease, other medical conditions, as well as size and location of the targeted tissue. These factors can impact procedure length, anesthesia type and the number of treatments required.

Step 1: Consultation

If histotripsy is right for you, you will meet your doctor who will answer your questions and discuss your eligibility for this procedure. If approved for histotripsy, you will schedule a date and time for the procedure.

Step 2: Prep

Your doctor may require you to follow some dietary restrictions before the planned histotripsy. Be sure to follow all instructions before your planned date.

Step 3: Day of Procedure

You will be guided into a room with a histotripsy system. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound for additional confirmation of your tumor location. General anesthesia will be administered and your doctor will place a histotripsy treatment head over the targeted tumor.

Step 4: Histotripsy Begins

During the procedure, the treatment head delivers sound waves to the targeted area while your doctor uses ultrasound imaging to monitor the treatment.

Step 5: Duration of Treatment

The procedure time will vary depending on specific variables and the number of histotripsy treatments delivered in one session.

Step 6: Recovery

After the treatment, you may experience some pain, depending on the treatment area. Many patients can return home the same day or day after the procedure and usually resume their normal activities quickly.