Histotripsy Is Safe, but 11% of Patients Died Within a Month

UVA Health researchers reviewed real-world outcomes of histotripsy, a noninvasive ultrasound treatment for liver tumors, in 972 patients treated between 2023 and 2026. Procedural toxicity and complications were low, but 11% died within 30 days; the study could not link the deaths to the procedure, and nearly 70% of patients had metastatic disease.

• 972 patients received histotripsy in US clinical practice from 2023 to 2026
• 11% of patients died within 30 days of treatment
• Nearly 70% of cases involved cancer that had spread to the liver
• Low lab toxicity and few procedural complications were confirmed