Novant Health Cancer Institute introduces next-generation treatment for liver cancer | Novant Health

See pictures and video here with access code – Histotripsy_NHFMC_1

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health is the first healthcare system in the Carolinas to offer histotripsy, a groundbreaking treatment for cancers involving the liver that does not require surgery.

The Edison Histotripsy System, which is now available at the Novant Health Derrick L. Davis Cancer Institute in Winston-Salem, uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

“Cancer can begin in the liver or spread there from another part of the body,” said David Sindram, a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon at Novant Health Cancer Institute. “Once it reaches the liver, it often poses one of the greatest threats to both quality and length of life. In the past, our treatment options were limited. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform how we safely and effectively care for our patients.”

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2023, published data demonstrates strong safety and efficacy as a noninvasive method to destroy tumors. While important research continues on the long-term impact histotripsy may have for patients with cancers involving the liver, this platform technology also shows promise as a noninvasive treatment for kidney and pancreatic cancers.

The introduction of this technology was made possible by nearly $1 million in philanthropic support from donors through Novant Health Foundation.

How it works

The histotripsy platform assists physicians by combining a patient’s MRI or CT scan with advanced mapping technology to develop a personalized treatment plan. Without making any incisions, this outpatient procedure delivers a series of focused and intersecting ultrasound waves to the tumor. These waves generate microbubbles within the diseased tissue, causing the tumor to break down and dissolve.

“This technology brings new hope to patients facing cancer in the liver,” Sindram said. “We can now deliver more precise treatment without conventional surgery and help patients experience better outcomes with fewer side effects.”

Patients diagnosed with cancer in the liver are encouraged to talk with their doctor about whether histotripsy may be an option.

The Novant Health Cancer Institute is nationally recognized for providing leading-edge care across the Carolinas. To learn more or find a location near you, visit NovantHealth.org/Cancer.

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About Novant Health

Novant Health is an integrated network of more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 40,000 team members along with more than 8,500 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2023, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.

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