Electrochemotherapy as an Effective Alternative in the Treatment of Local Advanced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of Treated Cases

Ida Barca, Francesco Ferragina (), Elvis Kallaverja, Antonella Arrotta and Maria Giulia Cristofaro
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Ida Barca: Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Francesco Ferragina: Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Elvis Kallaverja: Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Antonella Arrotta: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Maria Giulia Cristofaro: Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: Advanced oral squamous cell carcinomas represent a major challenge for maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists and radiation therapists. They also account for a large share of healthcare costs. They respond little and/or poorly to conventional therapies (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy). Electrochemotherapy is a new method used as a palliative treatment in patients with advanced cancer of the neck/head region who are not eligible for standard therapies. It combines the use of cytotoxic drugs with the physical principle of electroporation; it effectively controls the tumour locally and preserves organ function. To date, ECT has been little used for oral mucosal tumours, as this is difficult to access for electrodes. We report six cases of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with electrochemotherapy. This study aims to assess the debulking effect of cancer via ECT in patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma. It also aims to assess the safety and tolerability of this treatment.

Keywords: electrochemotherapy; oral cancer; head and neck cancer; advanced squamous cell carcinoma; maxillofacial surgery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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