Histotripsy: A New Way to Treat Liver Cancer With Dr. Guzowski

Did you know that your liver is the largest organ inside your body, weighing about 3 to 3.5 pounds? Located in the upper right of your abdomen, your liver is responsible for detoxifying and filtering your blood, producing bile to aid digestion and metabolism and storing excess glycogen for when your body needs it, among other key functions. So when your liver isn’t functioning the way it should, whether it be a serious condition or even cancer, it takes a toll on your body.

We know it can feel overwhelming if you get a liver cancer diagnosis — but you aren’t alone, and there are more advanced treatment options today than ever before. In recent years, histotripsy treatment has become quite popular for its ability to treat liver cancer noninvasively and with high accuracy, and we’re honored to offer this treatment at AdventHealth Celebration.

Keep reading to learn from our expert surgical oncologist at AdventHealth Celebration, Andrew Guzowski, MD, about histotripsy treatment, including its benefits, success rate, recovery time and how it's performed.

Understanding Histotripsy

“Histotripsy is a noninvasive treatment for patients with unresectable liver tumors,” explains Dr. Guzowski. “This treatment uses ultrasound technology to deliver high-amplitude, short pulses of sound waves to treat the targeted area.” The ultrasound waves rapidly expand and contract, creating tiny air bubbles that mechanically destroy tumor cells without damaging surrounding tissue.

After becoming an FDA-approved treatment for liver tumors in 2023, histotripsy is the only treatment that doesn’t require incisions or needles. This treatment uses the Edison system, a sonic beam therapy platform developed by HistoSonics.

How Histotripsy Works

Before the procedure, your doctor will locate your tumor(s) using a diagnostic ultrasound to determine the size of the affected area to be treated. The specific location is then programmed into the histotripsy robot, and the treatment head, which emits ultrasound waves, is positioned. You’ll then be placed under general anesthesia before treatment begins. The treatment head, with a soft, flexible membrane filled with water, is placed over the liver. Using real-time monitoring, your physician administers the focused ultrasound waves to create a planned treatment volume that destroys the affected tissue.

“We’re thrilled to offer liver histotripsy as a new option for our patients with unresectable liver tumors,” shares Dr. Guzowski. “Whenever we can destroy a tumor without incisions or damage to surrounding tissue, patients are appreciative and typically have minimal effects after treatment.” Typically, histotripsy treatment takes a few hours to complete, and most patients can return home the same day.

Benefits of Histotripsy

One of the greatest benefits of this treatment is that it’s noninvasive, meaning it requires no cuts, incisions or needles. “While surgical resection remains the gold standard for treating malignant liver tumors, this new approach provides us with a noninvasive treatment option for some patients who are not candidates for surgery. It also allows them to avoid complications of current treatment modalities like radiation and thermal ablation.” Another key benefit is its high accuracy in treating tumors. “Liver histotripsy is much more precise than other ablative technologies,” explains Dr. Guzowski.

Other benefits of histotripsy include:

• A quicker recovery
• No burns or hair loss
• No requirement to stop systemic or chemotherapy; treatment retains effectiveness near blood vessels, unlike thermal ablation

Some studies have shown that, after treatment, patients’ immune systems may be enhanced, and in a few cases, untreated lesions have improved.

Success Rate, Candidacy and Recovery Time

Although this treatment is relatively new, research from the #HOPE4LIVER clinical trials shows that it offers a 90% or greater success rate for tumor control one year after treatment. “Overall, this is a highly successful treatment option for candidates who are on par with other liver-directed therapies,” explains Dr. Guzowski. Several factors determine if you’re a good candidate, including:

• Ineligibility for other treatments: When surgery, chemotherapy or radiation methods won’t work or have failed
• Location: Must be accessible via ultrasound and not blocked by bone or bowel gas
• Tumor size and number: Typically, three tumors or fewer, smaller than 3 to 4 centimeters

“For most patients, the recovery time is minimal. Most patients can return to their normal routines the day after treatment,” states Dr. Guzowski. However, it’s important to listen to your doctor’s instructions. It’s normal to experience some soreness after the procedure, but if your symptoms worsen, visit your doctor.

Oncology Expertise With Your Whole Health in Mind

At AdventHealth, we’re committed to using leading-edge technologies and treatments, like histotripsy, to help you reach remission and get back to feeling like yourself. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Guzowski to begin your healing journey.