Historically, local cancer treatment for pets with cancer animal have been limited to Surgery and Radiation Therapy.  Sometimes surgery is not possible or too aggressive.  Radiation Therapy is limited in availability, expensive and may lead to serious side effects. 

Targeted Electrochemotherapy originated outside of the United States over 30 years ago and is now available within larger U.S. cities.  The concept is simple: provide an electrical pulse into the tumor to allow a transient opening of the cell membrane, driving chemotherapy directly where you want it to go, with minimal to no side effects and excellent local control.

When is Targeted Electrochemotherapy (ECT) used?

ECT is effective treatment for dogs, cats and even exotic pets and has proven efficacy against mast cell tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma, perianal tumors (carcinomas), and many other types of tumors. It is excellent for tumors that cannot be removed with surgery or have proven resistance to other therapies such as standard chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

How is Electrochemotherapy given?

While your pet is under a short general anesthesia, a low-dose chemotherapy drug is administered intravenously or directly into the tumor (less common). This dose of chemotherapy is so low that it does not cause side-effects. Following administration of the chemotherapy, the applicator (electrode), which consists of a number of very small, thin needles, is then inserted into the tumor or into the scar where the tumor could not be completely removed. A small electrical current is released throughout the immediate area.  This current will create pores in the cancer cells and allow the chemotherapy drug to enter, thus resulting in the death of the cancer cells.

What can be expected after Electrochemotherapy?

Treated areas may swell slightly, sometimes scab over (uncommon) and look worse before seeing improvement over the next few weeks. This is a normal and expected reaction. The procedure is non-thermal (no heat) and is an outpatient procedure for most cases. Your pet goes home the same day and typically no pain medication is needed. Your pet should also return to normal eating and drinking later that evening. 

What is the outcome after treatment?

• Additional ECT treatments may be necessary depending on tumor size and initial response; usually every 2-4 weeks. Retreatment of the same area is common without increasing the risk of any side effects.
• The cancer may begin to reduce in size, sometimes completely and sometimes only a partial response.  In rare cases, the tumor may not respond at all. Responses vary depending upon the type of tumor being treated and the amount of disease present at the time of ECT treatment. 
• ECT may be combined with other therapies such as surgery, immunotherapy (cancer vaccines), standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Additional follow-up may be necessary to address control of metastasis or spread of the cancer to other organs. 

What is the latest with ECT?

Most recently, with the introduction of a new electrode, we can now treat nasal cancer, prostate cancer and bone cancer. The limitation was the ability of the electrode to reach these anatomic sites.  That option now exists and we are anxiously looking forward to this treatment for patients with Osteosarcoma, Nasal Carcinoma and Prostate Carcinoma.