Electrochemotherapy of head and neck cancer

Abstract

In the head and neck area, electrochemotherapy (ECT) is currently implemented for the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic cutaneous, subcutaneous, mucosal, or deep-seated tumors of any kind of histology. However, its particular efficiency in the treatment of small, primary, and treatment-naïve tumors has already been demonstrated. Nevertheless, ECT has different effectiveness in tumors of various histotypes. Basal cell carcinomas proved to be a most responsive tumor with almost 100% objective response rate and excellent cosmetic results without any functional impairment of treated sites. For the treatment of deep-seated tumors in the head and neck region, long single needle electrodes are used. These electrodes can be placed in various patterns with the aim to cover large and irregular-shaped tumors, hidden under the visible surface. Moreover, coupling treatment planning and navigation system enables precise insertion of long, single needle electrodes into deep-seated tumors of the head and neck region. Further developments in the application of ECT in the head and neck cancers are orientated to reduced dose of bleomycin in elderly patients and combining ECT with immunotherapy and/or immunogene electrotransfer.