NTUH's 'Histotripsy' Non-Invasive Cancer Treatment Reaches 80 Cases; Asia-Pacific's Only Training Center Inaugurated
National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) has introduced 'Histotripsy' technology, a non-invasive cancer treatment using focused ultrasound to destroy tumors without wounds. After 80 clinical trials in one year, NTUH signed an MOU with the US and inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Cancer Histotripsy Training Center, becoming the only medical center in the region with multi-cancer clinical trial experience.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 14:19
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(Central News Agency, Reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, June 10) Cancer treatment has entered the non-invasive era. National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) has introduced 'Histotripsy' technology, using focused ultrasound to ablate tumors 'without wounds' in situ. Over the past year, 80 clinical trials have been completed. Today, an MOU was signed with the US side, and the Asia-Pacific Cancer Histotripsy Training Center was inaugurated.
NTUH Superintendent Dr. Chung-Jen Yu stated at the MOU signing press conference that this marks a significant milestone for Taiwan's non-invasive cancer treatment on the international stage. It also makes NTUH the only medical center in the Asia-Pacific region with clinical trial experience in multi-cancer histotripsy and a complete training system.
The histotripsy technology, known as the 'Histotripsy Knife,' has gained attention in recent years. Dr. Yu explained that its principle is not the traditional high-temperature burning, freezing, or radiation to destroy tumors. Instead, it uses high-energy focused ultrasound to create a cloud of microbubbles within the tumor. The mechanical force generated by the rapid formation and collapse of these bubbles fragments and liquefies the tumor tissue.
Dr. Kai-Wen Huang, Director of the Center for Cancer Minimally Invasive Interventional Therapy at NTUH, said in a pre-meeting media interview that cancer treatment is evolving from 'large wound' surgery to 'small wound' minimally invasive procedures. Histotripsy represents a further step to a 'completely woundless' stage.
Dr. Huang emphasized that the biggest feature of histotripsy is that it requires no incision, no puncture, no thermal damage, and no radiation exposure. It is particularly promising for difficult tumors located near major blood vessels, bile ducts, gastrointestinal tracts, or in deep organs, potentially reducing risks of heat spread, bleeding, and damage to surrounding tissues.
NTUH has accumulated over 80 clinical cases in the past year. Dr. Huang noted that all patients were discharged the day after treatment, demonstrating that the technology can significantly shorten recovery time. Currently, both the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have officially approved its use for liver tumors.
He stressed that this is a highly technical and difficult-to-master piece of equipment requiring a rigorous training process. So far, physicians from 4 countries and 2-3 domestic medical centers have come for observation. The treatment is self-paid. In Hong Kong, each treatment costs approximately NT$1.3 to 1.4 million, but the cost in Taiwan is estimated to be less than half of that.
With the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Training Center, NTUH will become a hub for regional technology export, responsible for training domestic and international physicians in this precise technique. Dr. Huang also cautioned that while histotripsy has great potential, it is not suitable for all patients. A professional medical team must evaluate the tumor location and the patient's condition to plan the most appropriate treatment. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150610
NTUH Superintendent Dr. Chung-Jen Yu stated at the MOU signing press conference that this marks a significant milestone for Taiwan's non-invasive cancer treatment on the international stage. It also makes NTUH the only medical center in the Asia-Pacific region with clinical trial experience in multi-cancer histotripsy and a complete training system.
The histotripsy technology, known as the 'Histotripsy Knife,' has gained attention in recent years. Dr. Yu explained that its principle is not the traditional high-temperature burning, freezing, or radiation to destroy tumors. Instead, it uses high-energy focused ultrasound to create a cloud of microbubbles within the tumor. The mechanical force generated by the rapid formation and collapse of these bubbles fragments and liquefies the tumor tissue.
Dr. Kai-Wen Huang, Director of the Center for Cancer Minimally Invasive Interventional Therapy at NTUH, said in a pre-meeting media interview that cancer treatment is evolving from 'large wound' surgery to 'small wound' minimally invasive procedures. Histotripsy represents a further step to a 'completely woundless' stage.
Dr. Huang emphasized that the biggest feature of histotripsy is that it requires no incision, no puncture, no thermal damage, and no radiation exposure. It is particularly promising for difficult tumors located near major blood vessels, bile ducts, gastrointestinal tracts, or in deep organs, potentially reducing risks of heat spread, bleeding, and damage to surrounding tissues.
NTUH has accumulated over 80 clinical cases in the past year. Dr. Huang noted that all patients were discharged the day after treatment, demonstrating that the technology can significantly shorten recovery time. Currently, both the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have officially approved its use for liver tumors.
He stressed that this is a highly technical and difficult-to-master piece of equipment requiring a rigorous training process. So far, physicians from 4 countries and 2-3 domestic medical centers have come for observation. The treatment is self-paid. In Hong Kong, each treatment costs approximately NT$1.3 to 1.4 million, but the cost in Taiwan is estimated to be less than half of that.
With the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Training Center, NTUH will become a hub for regional technology export, responsible for training domestic and international physicians in this precise technique. Dr. Huang also cautioned that while histotripsy has great potential, it is not suitable for all patients. A professional medical team must evaluate the tumor location and the patient's condition to plan the most appropriate treatment. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150610
FAQ
What types of cancer can histotripsy treat?
It is currently approved for liver tumors by the TFDA and FDA, but research is ongoing for other cancer types.
What are the benefits of histotripsy treatment?
It requires no incisions or punctures, involves no thermal damage or radiation exposure, and allows for very quick recovery.
Is histotripsy treatment covered by insurance?
It is currently a self-pay treatment, and the cost in Taiwan is expected to be less than half of that in Hong Kong.