HCA Midwest Health first in region to offer new, non-surgical liver tumor treatment

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Each year, it is estimated more than 40,000 people will be diagnosed with liver cancer – and those numbers are increasing. Treatments for liver cancer can be complex and commonly include surgery that can result in a long recovery process, pain and countless side effects.
That is, until now. HCA Midwest Health's Menorah Medical Center is the first hospital in a four-state region to offer histotripsy, a new, non-invasive treatment for cancerous liver tumors. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023, this innovative therapy uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to destroy liver tumors without the need for incisions or probes, often resulting in shorter recovery time and less harm to the patient's liver and surrounding areas.
'Liver cancer patients often undergo extensive and painful surgery. Or worse, they are told there is no hope for further treatment,' said Dr. Joe Cates, a board-certified vascular and general surgeon with Kansas City Vascular and General Surgery. 'Now, we can offer a permanent solution with a minor procedure.'
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Histotripsy can pinpoint high-frequency ultrasound to an energy wave that liquefies tissue. In this procedure, it is targeted and precise to the millimeter and liquefies cancer tumors. Using computed tomography and ultrasound guidance, hyper-focused sound waves are delivered through the body to the liver lesion, where they destroy the tumor while sparing normal tissue. The technology allows physicians to treat liver cancer without surgery, pain, incisions or radiation.
'With this type of treatment, we are able to preserve the healthy area of the liver around the tumor,' Dr. Cates said.
The benefits of the minimally invasive, same-day procedure include less pain and no bleeding, providing the opportunity for patients to get back to daily activities sooner. The procedure itself can take between 10 minutes and three hours, with the active treatment portion ranging from five to 30 minutes per tumor. The total time can vary based on factors like tumor size and location, and the number of tumors being treated.
'This new procedure is important because liver cancers are becoming more common. This breakthrough treatment can change and improve the lives of so many patients in the region,' Dr. Cates said.
For more information about histotripsy – or for any questions about cancer – call the HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Network askSARAH helpline at [phone]. More information is also available at HCAMidwest.com/cancer.
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A home for new and innovative treatments to advance patient care
Cancer care is an ever-changing field, with new treatments and technologies always evolving to improve patient outcomes.
Menorah Medical Center has a rich history of quality cancer care and being a leader in offering the latest technologies, innovations and treatments, including:
Robotic Surgery: Menorah was an early-adopter and remains a leader in robotic-assisted surgical systems. Surgeons treat highly complex cancers including colorectal, breast, lung and other types of cancer with many leading-edge robotic systems. The hospital has also been named a robotic center of excellence and has served as a teaching site for surgeons across the United States and from other countries.
True Beam: A minimally invasive form of stereotactic radiosurgery that uses precisely focused beams of radiation to treat brain disorders and tumors without traditional surgery, this precision targeting delivers a high dose of radiation to a specific area of the brain while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Mammosite for Breast Cancer: Menorah Medical Center is the only hospital in Johnson County to offer this advanced breast cancer treatment.
'The region continues to grow, and we need to grow our hospital services to ensure we're continuing to meet the community's needs,' said Sean Kamber, Menorah Medical Center CEO. 'That means not only investing in the latest equipment, providing cutting-edge treatments and expanding and upgrading our state-of-the-art technology. It also means continuing to recruit the best physicians, nurses and specialized support staff to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare.'
One of Kansas City's premier healthcare providers, HCA Midwest Health is comprised of seven hospitals and dozens of physician practices, surgery centers and more, including Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee's Summit Medical Center, Belton Regional Medical Center and Lafeyette Regional Health Center. Visit HCAMidwest.com for more.