Mauro Montuori1, Letizia Santurro2, Andrea Feliziani3, Flavio DE Sanctis3, Edoardo Ricciardi3, Daniele Gaudio4, Elena Campione5, Luca Bianchi5, Maria B Silvi4, Piero Rossi2. 1. Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy - mauro.montuori@hotmail.it. 2. Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. 3. Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 5. Department of Dermatologic Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy in day surgery of electrochemotherapy (ECT) using bleomycin in non-melanoma head and neck skin cancer. METHODS: We performed a prospective study on fifteen patients treated at the General Surgery Department at University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome between April 2011 and February 2013. RESULTS: We observed 100% complete response evaluated with WHO criteria at 6 weeks after treatment. No partial response was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: ECT is a simple, highly effective and safe treatment for head and neck non melanoma skin cancer. In our experience ECT can be performed safely in Day Surgery also in patients ASA III. Side effects associated with ECT are minimal and the treatment is well tolerated also by older patients, with minimal impairment of organ function and healthy tissues and with good esthetic results. We would encourage this treatment especially for older patients with multiple comorbidities, in which conventional surgical approach is not easily practicable.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy in day surgery of electrochemotherapy (ECT) using bleomycin in non-melanoma head and neck skin cancer. METHODS: We performed a prospective study on fifteen patients treated at the General Surgery Department at University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome between April 2011 and February 2013. RESULTS: We observed 100% complete response evaluated with WHO criteria at 6 weeks after treatment. No partial response was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: ECT is a simple, highly effective and safe treatment for head and neck non melanoma skin cancer. In our experience ECT can be performed safely in Day Surgery also in patientsASA III. Side effects associated with ECT are minimal and the treatment is well tolerated also by older patients, with minimal impairment of organ function and healthy tissues and with good esthetic results. We would encourage this treatment especially for older patients with multiple comorbidities, in which conventional surgical approach is not easily practicable.
Authors: Armando De Virgilio; Massimo Ralli; Lucia Longo; Patrizia Mancini; Giuseppe Attanasio; Francesca Atturo; Marco De Vincentiis; Antonio Greco Journal: Oncol Lett Date: 2018-07-12 Impact factor: 2.967