Sean Cate

Sean Cate

February 4, 2025

Cancer Treatment Kills Tumors Using Sound And Water

In what medical experts are calling a potential game-changer, a new FDA-approved treatment uses highly-focused soundwaves to destroy cancer cells. This innovative approach, known as histotripsy, offers several advantages over traditional radiation and radiofrequency ablation treatments, providing hope for patients with limited options.

How Histotripsy Works

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Histotripsy is a technology that uses ultrasound waves that go to a very small point. It’s about the size of a grain of rice. And it just ruptures the cells and kills them instantly,” explains Dr. Kevin Burns, Chief of Interventional Radiology. The treatment utilizes degassed water as a medium for the sound waves, as sound needs a specific environment to maintain its focused beams.

A Patient’s Journey

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Chris Donaldson, a 48-year-old from Alabama, represents one of the cancer treatment’s success stories. After being diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2022 that had spread to his liver, Donaldson faced a grim prognosis. “I was basically told I had three years, and when it metastasizes to your liver, it somewhat starts a clock of two years. And there was no treatment whatsoever,” he recounts.

Clinical Success Rates

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Recent clinical trials have shown remarkable results. The Hope4Liver trial demonstrated a primary efficacy rate of 95.5% with minimal complications (6.8%). Dr. Burns notes, “Success rates have been very, very good for this procedure, meaning that we’re getting good local control”. Unlike traditional treatments, histotripsy doesn’t require incisions and can be repeated as a cancer treatment as little or as often as needed.

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Technical Advantages

the treatment is extremely precise
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What sets histotripsy apart is its non-thermal cavitational approach. Unlike thermal ablation techniques, histotripsy avoids the “heat sink” effect and offers more precise targeting. The treatment creates well-marked areas for the treatment to work while preserving surrounding tissue, making it particularly effective for treating cancer in sensitive areas.

The Treatment Process

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During the procedure, patients are placed under anesthesia to prevent discomfort. “We have to get rid of all air between the treatment head and the patient. And so there’s actually this water bath that sits on top of you,” explains Dr. Burns. The entire process is monitored in real-time through ultrasound imaging, allowing for precise control of the treatment area.

Promising Immune Response

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Early research suggests an unexpected benefit: the process of liquifying tumors appears to leave behind benign genetic material that may enhance the body’s natural defenses against cancer. This potential immune-boosting effect could have significant implications for future cancer treatments.

Future Applications

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The technology shows promise beyond its current applications. “The plan for this device and technology is to continue on to other organs or other modalities. Things like thyroid tissue and breast tissue potentially could be ablated,” says Jimmy Ton, an Interventional Radiologist at Providence Mission Hospital. The treatment’s precision and minimal impact on surrounding tissue make it particularly promising for treating tumors in sensitive areas.

Patient Outcomes and Hope

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Two months after treatment, Donaldson’s liver remains cancer-free. His experience exemplifies the treatment’s potential to change lives. As he puts it, “Truly saved my life. Truly gave me a chance to meet my grandchildren. If I could inspire anyone to just not give up and have that glimmer of hope”.

The emergence of histotripsy represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, offering a non-invasive option that combines precision with effectiveness. As research continues and applications expand, this innovative approach may become a standard tool in the fight against various types of cancer.

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