{"id":7681,"date":"2026-01-16T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7681"},"modified":"2026-01-16T15:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:30:00","slug":"revolutionizing-cancer-treatment-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7681","title":{"rendered":"Revolutionizing cancer treatment for Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"tni-source-date\"><strong>Originally published:<\/strong> 2026-01-16T15:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ultrasound technology offers new hope<\/h2>\n<p>At the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/?s=Michael+E.+DeBakey+VA+Medical+Center\">Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center<\/a> (MEDVAMC) in Houston, a groundbreaking new ultrasound technology called histotripsy is giving Veterans battling liver cancer new hope.\u00a0This non-invasive approach to cancer care uses high-intensity ultrasound pulses to disrupt and destroy tumor cells. On Dec. 11, 2025, MEDVAMC made history as the first VA medical center in the nation to offer this cancer treatment, performing the groundbreaking procedure on Veteran Mark Schlegel.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A personal battle against cancer<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Schlegel_r1.jpg\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Army Veteran Mark Schlegel.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Schlegel\u2019s journey began in 2019 with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a battle he fought with courage at a private hospital. Yet, when the cancer returned last year, spreading to his liver and leaving him with 19 tumors, the prognosis felt grim. Despite being labeled terminal and put into palliative care, Schlegel was determined to fight. Together with his daughter, he explored integrative medicine options, and they ultimately found their way to MEDVAMC.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe VA doctors were incredible,\u201d Schlegel said. \u201cThey opened their hearts and minds to my needs, embracing integrative approaches to my diagnosis. I jumped at the opportunity to benefit from this new technology.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a state-of-the-art treatment room, Dr. Rayhan Hai, Dr. Jeffrey Jones and team of VA professionals prepared to deliver groundbreaking care. Using a mobile robotic arm and an ultrasound machine, they precisely targeted the tumors in Schlegel\u2019s liver. Each brief ultrasound pulse created microbubbles, disrupting and eliminating the diseased cells with remarkable precision.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Precision in treatment<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Smith_r3.jpg\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Darryl Smith, interventional radiologist, got his first look at the Edison Histotripsy when it arrived at Houston VA in early December. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis non-invasive treatment changes everything,\u201d Hai said. \u201cIt allows us to precisely address tumors without the trauma of surgery, enabling Veterans to recover much easier. We can break up tumors while preserving surrounding organs, truly transforming and often extending the lives of our Veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Darryl Smith, an interventional radiologist, recognized Schlegel\u2019s determination from the start. \u201cMr. Schlegel\u2019s resolve was evident,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u201cHe prioritizes his health, takes great care of himself, and expressed a fierce desire to live. Having this innovative technology at our disposal made all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schlegel\u2019s wife of 42 years, Renia, and his two daughters Tammy and Mary, have been right by his side throughout his challenging cancer journey. Tammy says she is very grateful for the exceptional care her father received at the MEDVAMC, describing it as \u201cimpeccable\u201d and \u201cexcellent.\u201d \u201cWe placed our trust in God, and he led us to the MEDVAMC,\u201d Tammy said.\u00a0\u201cVA doctors took the time to engage with us, discussing not just treatment but also our faith.\u00a0My father felt a sense of peace and acceptance at VA\u2026 the doctors were truly with us every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding horizons in cancer care<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/histo_r2.jpg\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Doctors at the Houston VA prepare to perform their first histotripsy on Army Veteran Mark Schlegel. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>According to Jones, another benefit of the new procedure is the potential of the histotripsy to stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells. \u201cThis technology, together with recent advancements in immunotherapy, could potentially eradicate previously incurable cancers,\u201d he said. \u201cBeing the first medical center to offer this innovation means we are pushing the boundaries of cancer care, providing Veterans with unprecedented options and hope. They deserve nothing but the best, and we are honored to provide it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schlegel now faces the future with gratitude and optimism. His recovery is progressing well, and his spirit is strong.\u00a0\u201cVA doctors gave me hope, compassion and understanding,\u201d he said. \u201cThis technology gives me a chance to keep fighting. I thank God for placing the right people in my path\u2026 I really couldn\u2019t ask for more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s never too late to apply for VA health care you\u2019ve earned. If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who has not yet applied for their VA health care benefits, learn how to\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.choose.va.gov\/health\" rel=\"noopener\">get started<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p class=\"tni-attribution\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/144498\/revolutionizing-cancer-treatment-for-veterans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Veterans battle liver cancer with groundbreaking histotripsy at Houston VA, offering non-invasive, hope-filled cancer treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Revolutionizing cancer treatment for Veterans - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Veterans battle liver cancer with groundbreaking histotripsy at Houston VA, offering non-invasive, hope-filled cancer treatment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7681\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Revolutionizing cancer treatment for Veterans - 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