Study tracks early adoption of liver histotripsy treatment
It has been nearly three years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the HistoSonics Edison histotripsy system to treat primary and metastatic liver tumors. To examine how the technology's adoption and use have progressed, a research team at the University of Virginia, led by Allan Tsung, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Surgery, sought to provide an early…
Nearly three years after the U.S. FDA approved the HistoSonics Edison histotripsy system for treating liver tumors, a University of Virginia research team led by Dr. Allan Tsung investigated the technology's early adoption and use. By analyzing electronic health records, the team examined 972 U.S. adult patients who underwent liver histotripsy, analyzing demographic, geographic, and diagnostic data as well as pre- and post-procedure lab results.
The procedure demonstrated low 30-day readmission and emergency visit rates, both under 1%, and low toxicity. However, 30-day mortality was concerning at 11.1%, with no differences between payer groups. The study suggests that patient selection may need further examination as histotripsy adoption expands. Dr. Tsung emphasized that histotripsy is a promising technology, but prospective outcomes and comparative studies are essential to determine which patients benefit most and establish its role in cancer care.
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