First Hospital in West Michigan to Offer Non-Invasive Technology for Liver Tumors
University of Michigan Health-West has begun offering histotripsy treatments for patients with liver tumors, becoming the first hospital in West Michigan to provide this innovative therapy. Histotripsy uses focused ultrasound waves to mechanically disrupt tumors, offering patients a precise, non-invasive option to treat liver cancer.
UM Health-West is only the second hospital in Michigan to offer histotripsy, following University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, where the technology was initially conceived in 2004. This marks another significant step in UM Health-West’s mission to relentlessly advance health for West Michigan residents.
Clifford Cho, M.D., the chief medical officer at UM Health-West, will lead the histotripsy program as part of the Cancer Network of West Michigan. As a key researcher in cancer immunotherapy and this technology, Cho says histotripsy has life-saving potential.
“Histotripsy represents a major shift in how we approach liver cancer treatment,” said Cho. “By using high-amplitude ultrasound to destroy tumor cells without surgery, we’re offering a non-invasive option that has the potential to trigger an immune response that may help the body fight the cancer. This technology opens the door to more effective and personalized care.”
Cho is also advancing research on the immunotherapeutic potential of histotripsy as a professor of Cell Biology at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, exploring how the treatment’s ability to disrupt tumors could enhance the body’s immune response. His work aims to drive new advances in cancer immunotherapy, further aligning UM Health-West with leading cancer research.
Approved by the FDA in October 2023, histotripsy uses acoustic energy to generate a “bubble cloud” in targeted tissue, which mechanically destroys and liquefies tumors. Unlike current treatments, it enables real-time monitoring and precise control, ensuring that surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected. UM Health-West’s histotripsy device is manufactured by HistoSonics, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company.
“Histotripsy strengthens our ability to offer comprehensive, cutting-edge treatments for patients across West Michigan,” said Lloyd Geddes, M.D., executive director of the Cancer Network of West Michigan. “This technology is an important addition to the Network, reinforcing our commitment to provide world-class cancer care close to home.”
Founded in 2019, the Cancer Network of West Michigan is a collaboration between UM Health-West and Trinity Health in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, offering patients access to leading specialists, clinical trials and the latest cancer treatments.
“The launch of histotripsy is another milestone in our hospital’s pursuit of clinical innovation and excellence,” said Ronald Grifka, M.D., UM Health-West president. “This technology, developed right here in Michigan, enables us to deliver the highest level of care with the least disruption to the lives of our patients and their families. It’s a perfect example of how we’re innovating to change lives for the better.”
UM Health-West will begin exploring further applications of histotripsy in other cancers in the future.
