Intraoperative electrochemotherapy of colorectal liver metastases.
OBJECTIVE
Electrochemotherapy is effective in treatment of various cutaneous tumors and could be translated into treatment of deep-seated tumors. With this aim a prospective pilot study was conducted to evaluate feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intraoperative electrochemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.


METHODS
Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was performed during open surgery, by insertion of long needle electrodes into and around the tumor according to the individualized pretreatment plan.


RESULTS
A 29 metastases in 16 patients were treated in 16 electrochemotherapy sessions. No immediate (intraoperative) and/or postoperative serious adverse events related to electrochemotherapy were observed. Radiological evaluation of all the treated metastases showed 85% complete responses and 15% partial responses. In a group of seven patients that underwent a second operation at 6-12 weeks after the first one, during which electrochemotherapy was performed, the histology of resected metastases treated by electrochemotherapy showed less viable tissue (P = 0.001) compared to non-treated ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrochemotherapy of colorectal liver metastases proved to be feasible, safe, and efficient treatment modality, providing its specific place in difficult to treat metastases, located in the vicinity of major hepatic vessels, not amenable to surgery or radiofrequency ablation.
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Ibrahim
I
Edhemovic
Erik
E
Brecelj
Gorana
G
Gasljevic
Maja
M
Marolt Music
Vojka
V
Gorjup
Barbara
B
Mali
Tomaz
T
Jarm
Bor
B
Kos
Denis
D
Pavliha
Biljana
B
Grcar Kuzmanov
Maja
M
Cemazar
Marko
M
Snoj
Damijan
D
Miklavcic
Eldar M
EM
Gadzijev
Gregor
G
Sersa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D053672:Electrochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D001761:Bleomycin
ablation; bleomycin; electroporation; liver neoplasms; safety; treatment effectiveness