Ssurgeons and radiologists at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center are the first in New York City to begin treating patients with a new machine that noninvasively ablate, or destroy, liver tumors. They have already begun treating patients using this exciting technology, which is changing the landscape of surgical intervention in these cancers.
The procedure, called histotripsy, uses focused ultrasound that is delivered externally to destroy the cancerous tissue while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. Amenable to use in patients who would otherwise be unlikely candidates for radiation or other ablation techniques, histotripsy uses real-time imaging and a narrow 3 mm beam that allows precise tissue removal and contraction. It can also be used as a “bonding therapy,” shrinking a patient’s tumors to better prepare them for surgical resection, which means removal.
Chrissy Martinez, a 52-year-old mother from New Jersey, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer in June 2023. At the time, she had four tumors in her liver and knew she needed a world-class team that had experience and ability to handle her case. She had heard of Dr. Christopher Wolfgang, chief of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery in the Department of Surgery, and made an appointment with him. Dr. Wolfgang leads the multidisciplinary team of surgeons, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists who collaborate to provide innovative treatment to patients seeking care at NYU Langone.
After working with her team of doctors and evaluating the best course of treatment, Martinez began chemotherapy in September 2023 and Dr. Wolfgang offered her a Whipple procedure to remove the cancer. Before that, however, he discussed her histotripsy to remove the tumors before surgery and improve her outcomes. This was an attractive option as it was non-invasive, had a short recovery time and required only one visit. She had a histotripsy procedure in February 2024 and is doing well.
“This technology has changed my entire view of my prognosis. The fact that doctors can shrink tumors without invasive surgery or radiation is astounding.
— Chrissy Martinez
“My team of doctors at NYU Langone gave me access to the best care available,” Martinez said. “This technology has changed my entire view of my prognosis. The fact that doctors can shrink tumors without invasive surgery or radiation is astounding.
The next step is to prepare for her Whipple procedure. With a positive outlook on her health, she is excited to see her 20-year-old son graduate from his police officer training program this September.
“This device allows us to offer ablation to patients who would not normally be good candidates, like Ms. Martinez,” said Michael Silk, MD, interventional radiologist at NYU Langone, who performed her histotripsy procedure. “Even more exciting is the potential abscopal effect in patients with additional disease or microscopic tumors not picked up by scans, shrinking them together with the target tumors.” Data on these additional benefits are preliminary, but this is a promising avenue for further research.
The hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons at NYU Langone are among the most experienced in the world. Together, they have performed thousands of complex operations, including the Whipple procedure, as well as total, distal and central pancreatectomies. In addition, members of this surgical team are renowned in the field for their skill and experience in removing advanced pancreatic tumors that are generally considered inoperable.
Media inquiries
Ryan Dzyuba
Phone: 646-581-8548
[email protected]
