title: Electrochemotherapy for basocellular and squamocellular head and neck cancer: preliminary experience in Day Surgery Unit.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy - mauro.montuori@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montuori
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santurro
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feliziani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: DE Sanctis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaudio
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatologic Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campione
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatologic Surgery, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Silvi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D053672:Electrochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001761:Bleomycin