Title |
Bleomycin-Based Electrochemotherapy: Clinical Outcome from a Single Institution’s Experience with 52 Patients
|
---|---|
Published in |
Annals of Surgical Oncology, January 2009
|
DOI | 10.1245/s10434-008-0204-8 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Luca G. Campana, Simone Mocellin, Michela Basso, Oliviero Puccetti, Gian Luca De Salvo, Vanna Chiarion-Sileni, Antonella Vecchiato, Luigi Corti, Carlo R. Rossi, Donato Nitti |
Abstract |
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) has emerged as a complementary treatment for superficial metastases. Fifty-two consecutive patients with different cancer histotypes, mainly melanoma and breast cancer, with disease unsuitable for conventional treatments underwent bleomycin-based ECT for cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases. Toxicity, local response, response duration, and the impact on quality of life were evaluated. A total of 608 tumor nodules were treated (mean, 12 per patient), with 27% of patients affected by nodules >3 cm in size. Treatment was tolerated well, especially under general sedation. An objective response was obtained in 50 (96%) of 52 patients 1 month after the first application. Twenty-two patients underwent a second treatment (because of partial response or the appearance of new lesions). Partial response at first ECT achieved a response consolidation at second application: 80% complete response, 20% partial response. Some patients underwent up to five treatments because of new lesions, but maintained superficial tumor control. After a mean follow-up of 9 (range, 2-21) months, only two patients experienced relapse in the treatment field. Through a nonvalidated eight-item questionnaire (assessing wound healing and bleeding, aesthetic impairment, daily activities, social relations, pain, treatment satisfaction, acceptance of retreatment), most patients reported a benefit in local disease-related complaints and in activity of daily living. In a palliative setting, ECT proved to be safe, effective in all tumors treated, and useful in preserving patients' quality of life. This benefit, although preliminary, deserves further assessment after a formal validation of the dedicated questionnaire. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Germany | 1 | <1% |
Brazil | 1 | <1% |
Ukraine | 1 | <1% |
Denmark | 1 | <1% |
Spain | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 124 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 19 | 15% |
Student > Master | 18 | 14% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 14 | 11% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 11 | 9% |
Student > Bachelor | 10 | 8% |
Other | 29 | 22% |
Unknown | 28 | 22% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 43 | 33% |
Engineering | 12 | 9% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 9 | 7% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 8 | 6% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 6 | 5% |
Other | 20 | 16% |
Unknown | 31 | 24% |