The application of electric pulses to increase chemotherapeutic drug intake (bleomycin, cisplatin, or calcium) into the tumor cells.
It has become a very valuable treatment option in veterinary oncology.
It is an effective and safe treatment modality, which is not only beneficial as a palliative treatment, but also for a curative approach.
Usually, only one session is enough to achieve excellent results, but the treatment can be repeated. Several sessions can be necessary in the case of incompletely treated or very extended lesions, as well as in the occurrence of new lesions.
Intravenous bleomycin is the preferred drug and route of administration, leaving other ways of administration and drugs for selected cases.
Where can it be used?
ECT is effective for superficial or oral tumors of any histology that are accessible to the electrodes.
Cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors (primary or metastatic) of any histology, which cannot be satisfactorily treated with their respective first-line treatments
Primary or metastatic tumors affecting the quality of life due to bleeding, ulceration, or pain
Oral or Nasal tumors, as a single treatment, or in combination with surgery
Incompletely resected tumors (including surgical scars, skin flaps, and other surgical repairs), or for extending safety margins during surgery
Elective ECT treatment when other first-line therapies are possible.
When can it be used?
- Reducing cancer burden in primary or metastatic tumors that are accessible to the electrodes (superficial or by surgical approach)
- In patients under systemic therapy, for the treatment of the lesions that do not show good response.
- In large tumors before surgery, to improve relapse-free survival.
- In patients without treatment options, to improve quality of life in a palliative intent.
Risks?
- The biggest risk is not knowing how far the cancer has already grown, and thus especially for oral or facial masses, how big the defect may be.
- General risks pertain to sedation and sometimes general anaesthesia.
- Treatment results in some discomfort but ultimately pain is relatively easy to manage
- Bleomycin rarely casuses loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and allergic reactions. Delayed effects include loss of hair, rashes and other skin reactions and stomatitis.
Some papers for reference
- Electroporation as the Immunotherapy Strategy for Cancer in Veterinary Medicine: State of the Art in Latin America.
- Electrochemotherapy treatment safety under parallel needle deflection.