Histotripsy is currently available in Hong Kong, which has become the leading country in Asia to innovate and develop histotripsy devices. While the technology is still emerging in other Asian countries with advanced medical infrastructure like South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, Hong Kong is at the forefront of histotripsy development and clinical application in the region.

Costs vary significantly by location and condition being treated, typically ranging from HKD 300,000 to HKD 500,000 or more. The price depends on the facility and complexity of treatment.

Histotripsy is becoming increasingly available but remains limited to specialized medical centers. While it's accessible in the United States and Europe, the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which has been instrumental in advancing histotripsy technology, is based in Hong Kong. This has positioned Hong Kong as a key center for histotripsy development and treatment in Asia.

Both use focused ultrasound, but HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) uses thermal energy to heat and destroy tissue, while histotripsy uses mechanical energy through cavitation bubbles to break down tissue into liquid without heat. Histotripsy is generally more precise and doesn't damage surrounding tissue as much.

Histotripsy is a type of ablation (tissue destruction), but it's mechanically-based rather than thermal. Unlike traditional ablation methods that use heat, histotripsy liquefies tissue through acoustic cavitation.

Not only to shrink, but destroyed. Histotripsy works differently from radiation therapy. It mechanically destroys and liquefies tumor tissue immediately during the procedure itself through acoustic cavitation.

The tumor is broken down into liquid debris during treatment, rather than continuing to shrink afterward.

Following the procedure, the body's natural processes (lymphatic and circulatory systems) gradually clear away the liquefied tissue over several weeks to months, but the actual tumor destruction occurs during the histotripsy session itself.

Current evidence suggests histotripsy does not promote metastasis and may actually stimulate an anti-tumor immune response. The mechanical destruction may help the immune system recognize cancer cells, though more research is ongoing.