Advanced Cancer Care

Changing the Future of Kidney Cancer Treatment

Histotripsy for Kidney Cancer

Histotripsy is a breakthrough, noninvasive treatment that destroys kidney tumors using precise sound waves—no surgery, no needles, and no heat. The ultrasound energy creates tiny bubbles that break apart cancer cells while leaving healthy kidney tissue untouched.

Patients typically go home the same day with minimal pain, quick recovery, and preserved kidney function. Early studies show excellent tumor control and potential immune benefits, helping the body recognize a

What is Histotripsy?

Histotripsy uses microsecond bursts of focused ultrasound to create tiny bubbles inside a tumor. These bubbles rapidly expand and collapse, mechanically breaking apart cancer cells into a liquefied mixture that the body clears naturally.

Unlike heat-based therapies or surgery, histotripsy is:

Non-invasive: Delivered entirely outside the body.
Non-thermal: Avoids heat-related injury to blood vessels and bile ducts.
Precise: Guided in real-time with ultrasound imaging.
Organ-sparing: Preserves surrounding healthy liver tissue.

The future of care, today

Benefits of Histotripsy

Incision-free — no surgery, no needles, no implants.
Protects ducts and vessels — safe near structures where heat or radiation may fail.
Fast recovery — often outpatient, minimal downtime.
Reduced complications — lower risk of infection, bleeding, or bile leaks.
Effective local control — clinical trials show ~90% cancer control at 12 months.
Potential immune stimulation — intact tumor antigens may activate the immune system for systemic benefit.
Repeatable — can be used again if new lesions appear.

How Histotripsy Works

Targeting
Imaging pinpoints the tumor with precision.
Cavitation
Focused ultrasound pulses generate a “bubble cloud” inside the tumor. The collapse of bubbles mechanically destroys cancer cells.
Clearance
The body naturally clears the destroyed tissue over days to weeks, leaving surrounding vessels and ducts unharmed.

Who is a candidate for Histotripsy?

Typically Eligible Patients:

Primary liver cancer (HCC) or liver metastases.

Kidney cancer less than 4cm in size or patients not candidates for surgery

Pancreas cancer
Tumors near blood vessels or bile ducts.
Patients with limited liver reserve or cirrhosis.
Patients who are not surgical candidates.
Patients seeking non-invasive, organ-preserving therapy.

May Not Be Eligible:

Tumors obscured by ribs, lungs, or bowel (poor acoustic window).
Severe bleeding disorders.

Severe liver failure
Active infection or uncontrolled medical conditions.
Cases where surgery or another therapy is clearly superior.

Clinical Data and Evidence

HOPE4LIVER Trial: Prospective study demonstrated ~90% local tumor control at 12 months.
Safety Profile: Minimal complications, with most patients discharged the same day.
Unique Strengths: Effective even near major vessels and bile ducts, where thermal ablation and radiation struggle.
Immune Activation: Preclinical and early patient data suggest systemic immune response and possible abscopal effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is histotripsy safe in cirrhosis?
Yes. Because it is non-thermal, it minimizes risk to bile ducts and vessels, making it especially valuable for patients with limited liver reserve.

Can histotripsy be combined with systemic therapy?
Yes. It may enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy or chemotherapy by exposing tumor antigens to the immune system.

Is histotripsy repeatable?
Yes. It can be performed again if new tumors appear, unlike some treatments that carry cumulative toxicity.

What is recovery like?
Most patients return to normal activities within days. Compared to surgery, recovery is much faster and less disruptive.

Why Advanced Cancer Care is a Leader

Implementing histotripsy demands deep expertise, infrastructure, and vision. At Advanced Cancer Care, we deliver this through:

Multidisciplinary expertise: Surgical oncology, interventional radiology, medical oncology collaborate for optimal decision-making.

Advanced imaging: Real-time ultrasound and image fusion systems ensure precision and safety. We employ the latest in 3D cone beam CT technology to precisely localize cancers.

Patient-centered selection: Careful review of tumor size, liver function, and prior therapies ensures appropriate use.

Innovation commitment: Active participation in registries and outcome tracking contributes to national evidence.

Streamlined recovery: Most patients experience minimal discomfort, short recovery, and preservation of liver function.