Histotripsy

​What is Histotripsy? 

Histotripsy is a new non-invasive treatment for liver tumors, meaning treatment does not require incisions or anything to be inserted through the skin. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and patients typically go home the following day. 

The treatment works by using targeted ultrasound waves to kill the tumor cells without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. 

Am I eligible? 

Histotripsy is currently only approved as a treatment for liver tumors. Tumors that started in the liver (hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma), or tumors that started elsewhere but spread to the liver (metastatic cancers from the colon, rectum, breast, and elsewhere) may be treatable with histotripsy. There are locations within the liver and certain tumor characteristics that may not be safely treated with histotripsy. In some of these situations, you may be better suited for other types of treatment. Please note that Histotripsy is currently not being used at URMC a palliative setting. 

How can I be evaluated? 

Our URMC Transplant Institute providers will schedule an appointment to review your imaging and determine if you are eligible for histotripsy, or any other treatment. If you do not live near Rochester, this initial visit can be performed by video. Following this initial visit, our physicians may discuss your case at our weekly Multidisciplinary Liver Tumor Board, where our entire team of experts including hepatologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and transplant physicians can share their expertise to formulate a treatment plan. 

Patient self referral:

• If you are a patient interested in being considered for histotripsy treatment, please complete the online Health History Questionnaire. You will need to submit your most recent Oncology notes and imaging reports for the clinical team to begin reviewing your referral.  

Provider referral:

• If you are a provider interested in referring a patient, you may place an Electronic E-referral through EPIC or fax a copy of your referral along with recent notes to 585-271-7929. Please have your office push the most recent abdominal CT and US through Nuance Powershare. 

If you are interested in learning more about how Histotripsy is being utlized at the URMC Transplant Institute, please view these educational slides. 

Contact us:
phone (585) 275-5875
fax (585) 271-7929 
urmctransplantlivertumorteam@urmc.rochester.edu