About Histotripsy

Mission Hospital is the first in California and among a select few in the world to offer histotripsy, a revolutionary, noninvasive treatment for malignant and benign liver tumors. The procedure works by using high-energy ultrasound waves that convert to sonic beams and destroy liver tumors without a single incision.

Benefits

Because the innovative histotripsy procedure is noninvasive, it minimizes the risk of infection, bleeding and other complications. Histotripsy can be used to effectively treat liver tumors in patients who are not candidates for open surgery or have been told their liver tumor is inoperable. The procedure is compatible with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and can also be used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver.

What to expect

During the histotripsy procedure, targeted ultrasound waves form bubble clouds that implode and collapse rapidly, destroying only tumor cells. After tumors are liquefied by the sonic beam, only tiny molecules remain in the body. These microscopic fragments are too small to allow the cancer to spread and regrow.

The robotic-assisted histotripsy procedure is performed and controlled by our specially trained interventional radiologists using sophisticated imaging technology.

Patients receive general anesthesia to minimize movement during the procedure, but it is not painful. Patients typically go home the same day they have the procedure.

Our approach

For more than 50 years, Mission Hospital has been delivering comprehensive and innovative health care services in Southern California.

We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art cancer care with expertise, skill and compassion. As a leader in noninvasive tumor treatment, we offer patients a specialized and innovative approach to managing liver tumors.