What is electrochemotherapy ?

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that combines chemotherapy with short, intense electrical pulses to help deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells.

The commonest cancers that are treated with ECT are called soft tissue sarcomas and are often difficult to remove surgically due to local invasion of the cancer into the surrounding normal tissue. Surgery can be performed prior to treatment to “debulk” the majority of any cancerous change allowing the tissue bed to then be treated. 

Under general anaesthetic we inject a low dose of chemotherapy either into the vein (intravenously) or directly into the tumour.

A flat probe (electrode) is placed around the tumour to give an electrical pulse into the surrounding tissue, alternatively needle electrodes can be placed into the tumour itself. The pulse changes the outside layer of the cells, by a process called electroporation, which assists the uptake of the chemotherapy agent into the cancer cells causing their destruction.

The chemotherapy agent can be given to the animal in lower non-toxic doses therefore limiting side effects of many other similar chemotherapy drugs.

Although safe we always perform a blood screen prior to treatment to ensure we have assessed all the risks to the patient and their health.

How many treatments are required?

We normally recommend two treatments, however this can change depending on what tumour type and location we are treating. Treatment can also be palliative with regular treatment given keeping tumour growth limited.

Treatments are often given two weeks apart.  When ECT is used in association with surgery, the first treatment can be administered either at the time of surgery or within two weeks depending on histology results. We prefer to treat larger or more aggressive tumours during surgery or immediately after closure of the wound.

Are there any side-effects of electrochemotherapy?

Electrochemotherapy has a limited effect on healthy tissue. Areas treated can experience swelling, redness and superficial erosion of the skin; these effects are often minimal and can easily be managed with oral pain relief a few days after treatment.   

Electrical pulses, from ECT, cause muscle contractions in the treatment region but these are not painful and do not result in any post treatment discomfort. The electrical pulses do not affect any other body systems e.g. the heart.

Needle insertion during ECT can cause localised tissue damage and bleeding which will heal naturally. Occasional superficial small burns can occur at the site, these heal over a short period on 2-3 weeks and can leave small pink scars. 

If we are concerned about inflammation and self-trauma we can use a collar to help avoid any complications.

Due to the low concentrations of chemotherapy agent patients do not feel unwell post treatment, however the normal effects of the general anaesthetic can last up to 24 hours.

We believe Electrochemotherapy is a big part in the future of cancer treatment. We are happy to take referrals from local surgeries so everyone can benefit from this service.

Please get in touch to discuss any cases 01736 754111, alternatively you can email us with photos and any relevant history to info@haylevets.co.uk