Electrochemotherapy (ECT)
A Revolutionary Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer
At Vitus Private Clinic, electrochemotherapy for prostate cancer (ECT) is used to treat patients with large tumor volumes or tumors located close to critical structures such as the sphincter or rectum. This treatment is currently available for prostate cancer only at our clinic.
In more complex or aggressive cases, we combine electrochemotherapy with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in a treatment approach developed at Vitus. Our pioneering approaches ensure targeted, effective treatment with significantly fewer side effects than conventional therapies.
What is Electrochemotherapy?
A Revolutionary Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer
Electrochemotherapy is a treatment that combines short electrical pulses with a low dose of chemotherapy to precisely target and destroy cancer cells. Here’s how it works:
- Electroporation: Short electrical pulses temporarily open the cancer cells’ membranes, allowing the chemotherapy drug to enter the cells more effectively.
- Chemotherapy: A chemotherapeutic agent, usually bleomycin, is administered in a very low dose. With the help of the electrical pulses, the drug reaches the cancer cells in higher concentrations, making the treatment highly effective.
- Selective Cell Destruction: The chemotherapy agent damages the DNA of the prostate cancer cells, leading to their destruction, especially during cell division.
This process is particularly effective for treating aggressive tumors, as cancer cells divide more frequently than normal cells.
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Is ECT Right for Me?
ECT is an excellent option for many prostate cancer patients, especially those with more complex cases:
- Precise treatment: ECT is ideal for tumors located near critical structures, such as the sphincter, where preserving surrounding healthy tissue is essential. This precision helps minimize the risk of side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Effective for larger tumors: If you have a larger tumor, ECT can offer an effective solution, targeting cases that may be challenging for other treatments.
- Minimally invasive: If you are looking for a gentle, quick, and effective treatment option, ECT may be the right choice for you.
In some cases, our experts may recommend IR-ECT, which combines Irreversible Electroporation with electrochemotherapy for a more comprehensive approach, especially for aggressive or complex tumors.
Electrochemotherapy vs. Traditional Chemotherapy
Understanding the difference between electrochemotherapy and traditional chemotherapy can help ease concerns about the use of chemotherapeutic drugs.
- Gentler treatment: ECT uses precision targeting and a much lower drug dose than systemic chemotherapy.
- Targeted effect: Treatment is focused on the tumor rather than acting throughout the entire body.
- Lower dosage: Electroporation improves drug uptake, reducing common systemic side effects such as nausea or fatigue.
Why Choose Vitus for Electrochemotherapy
At Vitus Privatklinik, electrochemotherapy is applied as part of a highly specialised focal therapy approach designed to maximise precision while preserving surrounding structures.
- Experience with complex prostate tumors: Electrochemotherapy is routinely used at Vitus for large tumors and tumors located close to critical structures such as the sphincter or rectum.
- In-house combination treatment strategies: In selected cases, electrochemotherapy is combined with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) using a treatment approach developed at Vitus.
- Focus on functional preservation: Treatment planning prioritises precise tumor targeting while aiming to preserve continence and erectile function whenever possible.
Combination Therapies
At Vitus Private Clinic, electrochemotherapy can be used on its own or as part of a combined treatment strategy for more complex prostate cancer. While ECT is highly effective for larger tumors and localized prostate cancer near sensitive structures, certain cases benefit from pairing it with other prostate cancer focal therapies to expand the treatment zone or support a stronger biological response.
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IRECT (IRE + ECT)
IRECT is a unique combination treatment developed at Vitus that brings together focal Irreversible Electroporation and Electrochemotherapy for cases that are more aggressive, multifocal cancer, or difficult to reach.
During IRECT, a portion of the tumor is destroyed immediately through IRE, while surrounding areas receive short electrical pulses that improve the uptake of a low-dose chemotherapeutic agent. This allows adjacent cancer cells to be treated gradually over several weeks without damaging nearby nerves, vessels, or the sphincter.
IRECT is often recommended for recurrent prostate cancer after surgery or radiation, as well as for anatomically complex tumors where a single technique may not provide sufficient coverage.
Learn more about IRECT therapy →
Immunotherapy With Focal Therapy
Immunotherapy can also be paired with ECT or IRECT to support a broader systemic response. When tumor cells are destroyed through non-thermal methods such as IRE or electrochemotherapy, the released tumor antigens can help the immune system recognise cancer cells more clearly.
At Vitus, this natural process is reinforced with immunostimulatory medication that strengthens immune activity and may help address microscopic cancer cells beyond the immediate treatment zone.
This approach is particularly valuable for patients with intermediate-risk disease or selected advanced cases where both precise local tumour control and wider immune support are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrochemotherapy combines short electrical pulses with a very low dose of chemotherapy to improve how effectively the drug enters cancer cells. The electrical pulses temporarily open the cell membranes, allowing higher drug uptake in the tumor while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body.
Recovery is generally quick because electrochemotherapy is minimally invasive and targets the tumor locally. Many patients are able to resume normal daily activities within a short period.
ECT may be considered for local recurrence, including cases where previous treatments such as radiotherapy make other options more difficult. Because it is non-thermal and highly targeted, ECT can be used in areas close to critical structures such as the sphincter or rectum. Suitability always depends on MRI findings and the characteristics of the recurrence.
ECT uses a much lower dose of chemotherapy compared to systemic treatment. Because electroporation increases local drug uptake, the chemotherapy acts mainly within the tumor, reducing exposure to the rest of the body. As a result, patients typically don’t experience systemic side effects that are often associated with traditional chemotherapy.
ECT may be recommended for patients with larger tumors, tumors located near sensitive structures, or selected cases of recurrence. It may also be an option for patients seeking a minimally invasive, organ-preserving approach. A detailed prostate MRI and consultation are required to determine whether ECT or a combination therapy such as IR-ECT is the most appropriate choice.