Histotripsy
Cutting-Edge Non-Invasive Treatment for Liver Tumours
Histotripsy is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-intensity sound waves to target and destroy liver tumours. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. No skin incision or needle insertion into the liver is needed during the procedure. Histotripsy uses ultrasound imaging to locate the tumour tissue within the liver and monitor the effect of treatment real-time. The non-invasive nature of histotripsy minimises pain allowing patients to return home either the same day or the next day, subject to the patient’s condition following histotripsy.
Histotripsy involves placing a treatment head, which emits sound waves, inside a soft, flexible water bath containing specially treated water. The water bath and treatment head are placed on the patient’s abdomen and sound waves are directed at the liver tumour. The sound waves create microbubbles from rapid expansion and collapse of naturally-occurring gas within the tissues. These microbubbles destroy the tumour tissue with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.
What are the benefits of Histotripsy?
Histotripsy destroys liver tumours non-invasively. It does not involve any skin incision or needle insertion into the liver. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
The whole procedure usually takes 2-3 hours to complete. Following recovery from the anaesthesia, most patients can return home the same day or the next day.
Histotripsy is best for treating small or medium-sized liver tumours. Large tumours can be partially treated. More than one liver tumour can be treated during the same procedure.
Once a tumour is treated, it is usually completely destroyed and tumours will generally not appear again at that location.
As histotripsy destroys the tumour tissue using an approach causing minimal damage to the surrounding tissues, it can be repeated on several occasions.
Histotripsy can also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment for liver tumours such as radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolisation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
What is the process of the Histotripsy treatment?
Histotripsy is performed under general anaesthesia. General anesthesia is necessary to keep the liver perfectly still during the procedure. When under general anaesthesia, a water bath with a soft distensible membrane will be placed on the abdomen. This ensures effective transmission of sound waves. The sound waves, from a machine head placed into the water bath, will be focused down onto the liver tumour. These highly focused sound waves will destroy the liver tumour by creating microbubbles from naturally-occurring gas within the tissues. These microbubbles expand and collapse destroying the tumour tissue with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
Over 1,000 histotripsy procedures have been performed around the world since it was first introduced in October 2023. It is considered a safe procedure. While histotripsy is now a fully accepted treatment for liver tumours, research on its usage will continue to be performed routinely for many years and, as such, patients undergoing histotripsy are asked to sign a Research Consent form to enable research data to be collected on the procedure. This research will help subsequent patients undergoing histotripsy.
Who is suitable for Histotripsy treatment?
Histotripsy is available for patients with primary liver cancer or metastatic liver tumours and may be considered for patients who are not suitable for surgery. Patients are recommended to consult our specialists to assess their suitability for histotripsy treatment.
Treatment Package
Pre-treatment Evaluation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Items covered: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dedicated Histotripsy Doctor Consultation Fee |  | Pre-operative investigations (Blood tests, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray) |  | Ultrasound examination |
Histotripsy Treatment* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Items covered: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2-day-1-night 4-bed room charges |  | Anaesthesia fee |  | Basic medication fee, consumables, materials and implant charges |
 | Doctor fee |  | Nursing procedure fee |  | Equipment and instrument charges |
*Subject to the general terms and conditions for CUMC Medical Package (CMP). For details, please refer to
https://www.cuhkmc.hk/medical-packages/cumc-medical-package/interventional-radiology.
The histotripsy service is managed by dedicated specialists at CUHKMC. Please call 3946 6888 to schedule an appointment.
Once the effect of the general anaesthetic has worn off, patients can eat and drink normally after the procedure. Most patients can be discharged the same day or on the following day, subject to the patient’s condition after histotripsy.
As histotripsy is performed under general anaesthesia, patients will not experience pain during the procedure. Patients may feel some slight pain or discomfort at the treatment area after the procedure. This pain usually resolves with simple analgesia. Most patients can return to normal activities soon after the procedure.
CUHKMC provides a wide range of cancer treatment options. Our multidisciplinary medical team will recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for patients.
Pre-treatment Evaluation
Fee: HK$6,500
Items covered:
- Dedicated Histotripsy Doctor Consultation Fee
- Pre-operative investigations (Blood tests, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray)
- Ultrasound examination
Histotripsy Treatment*
Package Price (HKID Holder): HK$256,000
Package Price (Non-HKID Holder): HK$306,000
Items covered:
- 2-day-1-night 4-bed room charges
- Doctor fee
- Anaesthesia fee
- Nursing procedure fee
- Basic medication fee, consumables, materials and implant charges
- Equipment and instrument charges
*Subject to the general terms and conditions for CUMC Medical Package (CMP). For details, please refer to
https://www.cuhkmc.hk/medical-packages/cumc-medical-package/interventional-radiology.
You are welcome to contact our International Medical Services team for inquiries or appointments:
Telephone: (852) 3946 6888
E-mail: ims@cuhkmc.hk
WeChat:CUHKMC_HK
Remarks: All Histotripsy procedures at CUHKMC will be carried out as clinical research to be conducted by the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Service Hours
- MON - FRI:
9:00AM - 5:00PM - SAT:
9:00AM - 1:00PM - SUN AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
CLOSED
Booking & Enquiry
Booking: (852) 3946 6888
Enquiry: (852) 3946 6388
1/F, CUHKMC
