Electrochemotherapy as palliative treatment in patients with advanced head and neck tumours: Outcome analysis in 93 patients treated in a single institution. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Longo, Francesco; Perri, Francesco; Pavone, Ettore; Aversa, Corrado; Maglione, Maria Grazia; Guida, Agostino; Montano, Massimo; Villano, Salvatore; Daponte, Antonio; Caponigro, Francesco; Ionna, Franco
• Is Part Of: Oral oncology. Volume 92(2019)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Electrochemotherapy -- Advanced head and neck cancer -- Bleeding control -- Quality of life -- Pain -- Palliative setting; Mouth -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Mouth -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Mouth Diseases -- Periodicals; Mouth Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Bouche -- Cancer -- Périodiques; Bouche -- Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9943105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.03.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-8375

Abstract

Highlights: ECT is an interesting antitumoral therapy in advanced chemo and radio-refractory H&N neoplasms. ECT is able to reduce frequent symptoms, such as pain and bleeding, improving quality of life without damage to healthy tissue and with limited side effects. ECT may be used as standard option, added to systemic therapy, in advanced and higly symptomatic SCCHN. Abstract: Purpose: To describe outcomes of Electrochemotherapy as palliative treatment in patients with advanced head and neck (H&N) tumours. Methods: Ninety-three patients (120 treatment sessions) with H&N recurrent and/or metastatic neoplasm were treated. Treatment response was assessed 4 weeks after ECT with clinical examination and two months after the first evaluation with a CT scan of the H&N for deep lesions evaluation. The grade of bleeding and pain before, at the end of treatment and one week after ECT were evaluated. Results: Five percent of complete responses, 40% of partial responses were registered. Disease progression was seen in 20% of patients after the first ECT procedure, the remaining 34% of patients experienced stable disease. A good control of pain and bleeding was obtained, especially in patients with moderate symptoms before the treatment. No toxicities related to ECT were seen. Conclusions: ECT is an interesting antitumoral therapy in advanced chemo and radio-refractory H&N neoplasms. ECT is able to reduce frequent symptoms, such as pain and bleeding, improving quality of life without damage to healthy tissue and with limited side effects. Moreover, ECT reduces hospitalization time and may contribute to an overall reduction in healthcare costs associated with advanced H&N cancers care.