Mercy Deploys Histotripsy for Non-Invasive Liver Tumor Treatment

Event summary

  • Mercy Hospital St. Louis performed its first histotripsy procedure on an 82-year-old liver cancer patient, Mike Wess, in June 2026.
  • The non-invasive treatment took 35 minutes with no incisions, pain, or recovery time, compared to a 7-hour traditional surgery in 2020.
  • Mercy is among the first 100 U.S. hospitals to adopt histotripsy technology, integrating it into its liver program.
  • Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the Edison system's potential for treating renal tumors and inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The big picture

Mercy's adoption of histotripsy underscores the healthcare industry's shift toward minimally invasive, non-thermal cancer treatments. As one of the largest U.S. health systems, Mercy's early move positions it as a leader in leveraging advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times. The success of this procedure could accelerate the adoption of histotripsy across other major health systems, particularly as clinical trials expand into additional cancer indications.

What we're watching

Technology Adoption
The pace at which histotripsy will be adopted by other major health systems following Mercy's lead.
Clinical Efficacy
Whether histotripsy can sustain its promise of minimal recovery time and pain for other cancer types beyond liver tumors.
Regulatory Approval
How quickly the Edison system gains approval for broader applications, including renal and pancreatic tumors.