Li Ka Shing Foundation funds non-invasive liver cancer treatment for Hong Kong patients

Li Ka Shing Foundation donates Asia’s first cutting-edge, non-invasive device for treatment of liver cancer to city’s oldest university

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Business magnate Li Ka-shing (centre) also made a virtual appearance at the ultrasound medical device’s unveiling on Tuesday. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 5:18pm, 27 Aug 2024Updated: 6:45pm, 27 Aug 2024

Hong Kong liver cancer patients can receive a painless treatment that uses ultrasound waves to destroy cancerous tissue after the Li Ka Shing Foundation donated Asia’s first cutting-edge, non-invasive device to the city’s oldest university.

The University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine unveiled the new histotripsy treatment during a press event at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam on Tuesday.

The event also featured an appearance via live video link by business magnate Li Ka-shing, who waved to researchers and reporters as he hailed the new technology as “incredible”.

The non-invasive ultrasound treatment will be offered to 20 hospital patients free of charge over the next two years as part of a research programme led by the university.

The first patient is expected to start treatment this week.

“We hope that after the research programme, the treatment will be made regular and benefit more patients at public hospitals in the future,” said Professor Albert Chan Chi-yan of the university’s department of surgery.