Health & Science

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is ushering in a new chapter in cancer care for Greater Houston patients with the introduction of a groundbreaking, noninvasive treatment for liver tumors—while the health system also celebrates national recognition in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The new technology, called histotripsy, uses targeted ultrasound energy to destroy liver tumors without incisions, radiation, or heat damage. The FDA-approved procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, potentially offering relief to patients who may not be candidates for surgery or traditional therapies.

"Our team at Memorial Hermann is excited about the implications of this new technology for patients in the area," said Dr. D. Ryan Hall, general, hepatobiliary, and transplant surgeon at Memorial Hermann and Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs at UTHealth. "As a non-invasive treatment, histotripsy provides a revolutionary solution for many of our patients with liver tumors, especially those who are not eligible for or do not choose to pursue other treatment options."

Histotripsy has been studied for more than 20 years, with recent clinical trials in the U.S., UK, and Europe showing success in destroying both primary and metastatic liver tumors. The technique uses high-amplitude, short ultrasound pulses to break down targeted tissue while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

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"Histotripsy provides us with a non-invasive method to treat tumors that would be difficult to remove surgically, or to combine with other liver treatment options in order to give our patients the best clinical outcomes possible," said Dr. Curtis Wray, general and oncological surgeon at Memorial Hermann and professor of surgery at UTHealth. "This new method, in addition to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and surgery, allows us to present our patients with highly customized and cutting-edge care."

Currently, Memorial Hermann-TMC is one of only about 50 hospitals nationwide offering histotripsy, marking a significant expansion in access for patients in Houston and surrounding communities.

The announcement comes just weeks after U.S. News & World Report named TIRR Memorial Hermann the No. 2 rehabilitation hospital in the nation for 2025-2026—the highest-ranking rehabilitation hospital in Texas. TIRR has held a place among the nation’s best since the report’s inception in 1989.

"It is an extraordinary honor for TIRR Memorial Hermann to once again be named the No. 2 rehabilitation hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and the top-ranked rehabilitation hospital in Texas," said Rhonda Abbott, senior vice president and CEO of TIRR Memorial Hermann. "Earning this recognition year after year reflects the unwavering commitment of our physicians, therapists, nurses, researchers, educators and entire team of advocates, all of whom are driven by a shared purpose: to advance the field of rehabilitation and improve the lives of the patients, families and communities we serve."

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Several other Memorial Hermann campuses also ranked among the best in the Houston metro area and Texas, with notable national rankings in specialties including orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, and GI surgery.

For Houston-area residents, the combination of medical innovation and sustained national recognition reflects a broader focus on bringing advanced care closer to home—whether that means cutting-edge cancer treatments or comprehensive rehabilitation services.

Readers can stay connected with My Neighborhood News for ongoing coverage of health care advancements and hospital rankings in Greater Houston.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.