Histotripsy treats liver tumors without surgery: Barbara’s story

Barbara Widrig of Mayville, NY, will never forget getting the call from her physician telling her that she needed to go to the hospital right away. 

Over the previous months, her physician was investigating a few concerning symptoms, such as copper-colored urine and elevated liver enzymes found in her routine bloodwork. Then, a friend at the grocery store asked if she’d just returned from Florida. “I didn’t understand why she questioned me, as she knows we don’t go south for the winter,” says Barbara. “Little did I know, I was exhibiting jaundice. Apparently, I was getting a tan without having to travel to the south. I didn’t have any symptoms that made me feel ill.” 

A tumor in her liver was causing bilirubin, a normal waste product that’s processed by the liver, to accumulate in her blood. High bilirubin causes the symptom known as jaundice, which can give the skin and whites of the eyes a yellow tone, and serves as a warning sign of severe liver or bile duct conditions, prompting her physician to advise hospitalization and subsequent tests. “As soon as we knew that it was cancer, I came to Roswell Park,” she says. 

Not all tumors in the liver are liver cancer, but this one was, and it had also metastasized to her lung and her breast. With the liver tumor too large for safe removal by surgery, Barbara began treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy and was looking into other options, such ablation therapies. When she met with interventional radiologist Omar Hasan, MD, she learned that Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center offered a new, cutting-edge technology for ablation treatment of liver tumors — histotripsy. 

What is histotripsy treatment? 

Histotripsy is a new treatment approach that uses high-intensity sound waves to “ablate” or destroy tumor tissue in the liver. It differs from other types of ablation treatments which use microwaves, radio waves, extreme heat or cold, chemicals, or ionizing radiation. It offers other advantages such as: 

• It’s noninvasive — no incisions, needles or probes
• An outpatient procedure, patients go home the same day
• Treats multiple tumors, larger tumors, and tumors in a difficult to reach location
• Does not harm blood vessels or bile ducts in the liver
• Procedure can be repeated if needed, and used alongside other cancer treatment like chemotherapy and immunotherapy 

“Dr. Hasan sat with me and my husband for quite a while, explaining the procedure, how it uses sound waves and is noninvasive. He thought this option would be less damaging to my body,” Barbara says, and she underwent the procedure within two weeks. 

Surprisingly quick and easy treatment 

Histotripsy is performed under general anesthesia, and patients typically go home the same day. Some patients may experience minor pain afterwards. 

“Even that was very minor and short-lived, maybe five to 10 minutes and then it was gone.” says Barbara. “It took about four hours total, and we stopped for dinner on the way home. I still can’t get over how simple it was for me, considering what it did to my tumor.” Barbara’s liver tumor is now gone. 

“The procedure has given me more time, and good time,” she says. “When I was first diagnosed, I was told I had about six months to live. That was February 2025. My disease is still active because of the other sites, and I underwent radiation for the spot on my lung, but the tumor on my breast can’t be found on the CT scan anymore.” 

Histotripsy offers alternative to liver surgery 

For patients with liver tumors, a key part of their treatment planning is determining whether the tumor can be successfully removed with surgery. 

Unfortunately, the majority of patients have liver tumors that are too large, too numerous or too close to critical blood vessels to be safely treated with surgery. In addition, underlying liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, can make surgery unsafe. 

The need for new options to treat liver tumors is urgent. Liver cancer, although generally rare, is increasing in the United States. And because the liver filters the body’s blood, cancers from other body areas such as the colon, lungs, pancreas and breasts tend to spread and grow new tumors in the liver. 

Histotripsy is FDA-approved for the treatment of primary liver cancer as well as other cancers that have metastasized to the liver. 

Be a strong self-advocate 

Today, Barbara is glad she asked about ablation therapies and urges others to talk with their doctors about any new treatments they may learn of. “There are times when you feel you can’t get out of bed,” says Barbara. “Get up and move. Motion is lotion. When you’re feeling down, admit that cancer is very scary. Remember that your family and friends and your community are supporting you. And then laugh. I find laughter to be the best medicine. Get a comedy series or movie and enjoy the time laughing. Allow yourself to laugh at the stupid stuff you find yourself doing.”