Initial experiences of the use of electrochemotherapy in the treatment of skin metastases

Abstract

Introduction. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an ablation method based on a reversible electroporation combination with concurrent chemotherapy (intravenous administration or directly into the tumour). This method has been used in the treatment of primary skin tumours (carcinomas, melanomas) and secondary malignancies (e.g. breast cancer metastases) which were unfit or unresponsive to a different type of treatment. It is a palliative method aimed at improving the quality of life.

Material and methods. Between February and May 2015 seven patients with metastatic breast cancer to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and one patient with recurrent melanoma in the skin after groin lymphadenectomy, underwent the ECT procedure.

Results. For the patients treated by ECT, there were a total of 10 procedures for 50 target lesions. Seven patients underwent one course, one patient received three courses because of extension of the lesions. In 87.5% of the lesions good local effect as a complete or partial remission was observed. Patients remain under close observation and control.

Conclusions. The results show that ECT is an effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of unresectable skin malignances, especially in the case of prior use of other available methods of cancer treatment.