Skin cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, encompassing various forms such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Traditional treatment methods such as surgery are effective, but are often associated with cosmetic and functional impairments. This is where electrochemotherapy (ECT) comes into play – a minimally invasive, targeted treatment method that has proven to be a promising alternative for the treatment of skin cancer.
What is electrochemotherapy (ECT)?
Electrochemotherapy combines electrical impulses with chemotherapeutic agents to destroy cancer cells in a targeted and effective manner. This innovative technique allows for increased uptake of the chemotherapeutic agents into the tumor cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. This makes ECT particularly beneficial in the treatment of skin cancers where traditional methods may have cosmetic or functional disadvantages.
Advantages of ECT for skin cancer
- Minimally invasive: No large skin incisions, therefore less scarring.
- Cosmetically superior: Particularly suitable for tumors in visible areas such as the face.
- Preservation of functionality: Preserves the functionality of anatomically important structures, e.g. around the eyes or mouth.
- Effectiveness in resistant tumors: ECT can also be used for tumors that are resistant to other forms of chemotherapy.
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Disadvantages of conventional treatments
How skin cancer is usually treated and the disadvantages – an overview
While ECT offers numerous benefits, it is important to understand the challenges and drawbacks of traditional treatments for skin cancer. These usually involve surgical procedures, which can be associated with a number of disadvantages:
Melanoma
- Standard therapy: Surgical excision, often with sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- Disadvantages: Can cause significant cosmetic damage, especially for large tumors in visible locations. There is also a risk of limited effectiveness in advanced stages.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Standard therapy: Surgical removal, often by means of Mohs surgery.
- Disadvantages: Often leaves scars, which can be cosmetically unpleasant, especially on the face or other visible parts of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Standard therapy: Surgical excision, often combined with radiotherapy.
- Disadvantages: In addition to scarring, there is a risk of functional disorders, especially if the tumor is located in important anatomical structures.
Actinic keratosis
- Standard therapy: cryotherapy, topical chemotherapeutic agents and photodynamic therapy.
- Disadvantages: These treatments can be painful and often lead to temporary disfigurement of the skin, such as redness and swelling.
Immunological reactions and abscopal effects
In addition to the direct cytotoxic (cell-destroying) effects, ECT also has the potential to activate the immune system and trigger a systemic immune response. The destruction of tumor cells releases tumor antigens that stimulate the immune system. This process can even attack distant, untreated tumors – a phenomenon known as the abscopal effect.
The combination of ECT with immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. pembrolizumab or nivolumab), may enhance these abscopal effects and increase the overall effectiveness of treatment, particularly in metastatic cancers.
Find out more about our immunotherapyFrequently asked questions (FAQ) about ECT for skin cancer
ECT is a treatment method that combines electrical impulses and chemotherapeutic agents to specifically destroy cancer cells.
ECT is particularly effective for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and recurrent tumors.
ECT is minimally invasive, causes less scarring and can preserve the functionality of anatomically important structures.
After administering a chemotherapeutic agent, electrical impulses are applied to the tumor to improve the absorption of the drug into the cancer cells.
Side effects are usually mild and include redness, swelling and temporary pain at the treatment site.
Conclusion
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) offers a revolutionary alternative to traditional methods of skin cancer treatment. With its minimally invasive benefits, cosmetic superiority and ability to preserve functionality, it is an attractive option for many patients. In addition, ECT offers the potential to further optimize skin cancer treatment by combining it with immunotherapies.