Georgia Hospital Achieves First Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Treatment in State

Patients dealing with liver cancer in the southeastern United States now have the advantage of staying closer to home while accessing the latest treatments, thanks to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). Recently, NGMC successfully conducted Georgia's first histotripsy procedure, marking a significant advancement in the state's medical offerings.

The pioneering procedure was carried out by Dr. Nelson Royall, a surgeon with the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. This groundbreaking event took place on April 19 at NGMC Gainesville. Histotripsy, an innovative ultrasound-based technique, provides a non-invasive alternative for treating liver cancer, eliminating the need for traditional surgery or incisions. This milestone makes NGMC the sole provider of histotripsy in Georgia and one of just eight hospitals nationwide to offer this advanced treatment.

Dr. Royall expressed his excitement about the achievement, emphasizing that it is a monumental step for both the medical team and the state. "Performing the first histotripsy procedure at NGMC is not just a milestone for our team, but a leap forward for the entire state," he said. "It's a privilege to be at the forefront of redefining what's possible in cancer care."

Histotripsy employs focused ultrasound waves to precisely target and break down cancerous tissue without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. This precision allows for more efficient procedures and significantly reduces recovery times. Furthermore, the treatment can be administered without interfering with ongoing chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, providing a flexible option for patients.

This procedure is available to any patient with liver tumors, whether the tumors originated in the liver or spread from other parts of the body. This includes patients suffering from various types of cancer such as colon, rectal, and breast cancer.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center has been dedicated to improving community health since 1951. The medical center operates across five campuses located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega, and Demorest, with a total capacity of over 850 beds. The facility employs more than 1,300 medical staff members covering more than 60 specialties. As part of the Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit organization, NGMC serves over a million people across 19 counties.

This latest development in cancer treatment underscores NGMC's commitment to advancing medical care and providing cutting-edge treatment options to its patients. As the first hospital in Georgia to offer histotripsy, NGMC continues to set the standard for innovative healthcare solutions in the region.

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