PMID: 7535837Feb 1, 1995Paper

Treatment of cutaneous nodules using electrochemotherapy

The Journal of the Florida Medical Association
R Heller

Abstract

The ability to increase the amount of chemotherapeutic agents absorbed by tumor cells can be accomplished using electrochemotherapy. A preclinical study demonstrated the potential of this treatment; therefore, a clinical trial was initiated to determine if it would be effective in cutaneous and subcutaneous malignancies. Three melanoma, one adenocarcinoma and two basal cell carcinoma patients were treated. Each received a 10 unit/m2 dose of bleomycin intravenously. Eight 99 microseconds pulses at an amplitude of 1.3 kV/cm were administered directly to the tumors approximately 10-12 minutes after initiating the bleomycin injection and following the injection of 1% lidocaine solution around the treatment site. Two of three melanoma patients have responded positively to the treatment. Both basal cell carcinoma patients responded. The patient with adenocarcinoma responded as well. All patients tolerated the treatment well with no residual effects from the electric pulses. Although conclusions cannot be made, the results thus far are very encouraging.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of malignant skin cancer found on the head and neck regions and has low rates of metastasis. Discover the latest research on basal cell carcinoma here.