Abstract
BackgroundExtensive squamous cell carcinoma has few therapeutic options. In such cases, electrochemotherapy involving electroporation combined with antineoplastic drug appears to be a new potential option and may be considered as an alternative treatment. The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to evaluate electrochemotherapy efficacy in treatment of locally advanced stage III squamous cell carcinoma, in which surgical procedures would have entailed wide tissue sacrifice.MethodsClinical features, treatment response, and adverse effects were evaluated in 22 patients treated with electrochemotherapy with intravenous injection of bleomycin for extensive stage III cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment of cutaneous lesions were performed according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy.ResultsOverall response to electrochemotherapy treatment was observed in 18 (81.8%) patients. Clinical response with necrosis of tumor mass was observed from the first session and lasted for all follow up period that ranged between 5 and 48 months with a median of 34 months. Overall the treatment was well tolerated with a very low complication rate.ConclusionsElectrochemotherapy represents a safe and effective therapeutic approach, associated with a good tolerability.
Highlights
Extensive squamous cell carcinoma has few therapeutic options
Patients with partial response or stable disease received a second cycle of ECT after 6 weeks for the first treatment and only 1 patient underwent a third cycle of treatment 8 weeks after
The patient who had progressed after 3 ECT sessions for a Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the sole of his right foot was put out of the study and treated with amputation
Summary
Extensive squamous cell carcinoma has few therapeutic options In such cases, electrochemotherapy involving electroporation combined with antineoplastic drug appears to be a new potential option and may be considered as an alternative treatment. Electrochemotherapy involving electroporation combined with antineoplastic drug appears to be a new potential option and may be considered as an alternative treatment The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to evaluate electrochemotherapy efficacy in treatment of locally advanced stage III squamous cell carcinoma, in which surgical procedures would have entailed wide tissue sacrifice. Other vascular effects exerted by ECT include endothelial cell destruction and neovascular reorganization due to a local reduction in angiogenic factors production In this retrospective study ECT efficacy and safety in treatment of locally advanced cSCC was evaluated
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