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Bleomycin-Based Electrochemotherapy: Clinical Outcome from a Single Institution’s Experience with 52 Patients

  • Melanomas
  • Published:
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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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the nursing staff members of CE.MU.R.N.I. (Centro Multidisciplinare Radiazioni Non Ionizzanti) and of the Melanoma Center at the Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV), Padova, for their assistance with patient care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica Generale II, Policlinico Universitario, 6° Piano Via Giustiniani 2, 33128, Padova, Italy

    Luca G. Campana, Simone Mocellin, Carlo R. Rossi & Donato Nitti

  2. Istituto Oncologico Veneto, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Michela Basso, Gian Luca De Salvo, Vanna Chiarion-Sileni, Antonella Vecchiato & Luigi Corti

  3. Oncologia Medica, Thiene, Via Boldrini, Vicenza, Italy

    Oliviero Puccetti

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  1. Luca G. Campana
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  5. Gian Luca De Salvo
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Correspondence to Luca G. Campana.

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Campana, L.G., Mocellin, S., Basso, M. et al. Bleomycin-Based Electrochemotherapy: Clinical Outcome from a Single Institution’s Experience with 52 Patients. Ann Surg Oncol 16, 191–199 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-008-0204-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-008-0204-8

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