Veterinary Electrochemotherapy

What is Veterinary Electrochemotherapy?

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a specialised, minimally invasive cancer treatment that combines a chemotherapy drug with short, intense electrical pulses applied directly to the tumour. 

  • How it Works: The electrical pulses (“electroporation”) temporarily open the cancer cell membranes, allowing a much higher concentration of the chemotherapy drug (usually Bleomycin) to enter the cell.
  • Benefits: It is highly effective at killing cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Because the drug is concentrated in the tumour, systemic side effects (like sickness) are rare.
  • Targeted Tumours: It is ideal for local control of skin (cutaneous) and subcutaneous tumours, such as: 
    • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
    • Mast Cell Tumours
    • Soft Tissue Sarcomas
    • Oral Tumours (e.g., Melanoma)
    • Incompletely excised tumours post-surgery
Veterinary electrochemotherapy
  • Preparation: A full assessment by an oncologist is required. Blood tests will be performed to check organ function, and sometimes diagnostic imaging (CT/x-ray) may be needed to check for metastasis (spread of cancer to other locations).
  • Anaesthesia: The procedure requires a short general anaesthesia to ensure your pet is comfortable.
  • Administration: The chemotherapy drug is given intravenously or injected directly into the tumour.
  • Application: A special electrode (needle or plate) is placed on the tumour to deliver the electrical pulses. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.
  • Sessions: Depending on the tumour type and size, 1 to 6 treatments may be required, though some tumours respond after a single session. 
  • Immediate Post-Op: Your pet can typically come home the same day.
  • Side Effects: The treated area may experience swelling, redness, and scabbing (necrosis) for 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Pain Management: Painkillers will be prescribed for a few days to keep your pet comfortable and manage any local inflammation.
  • Protection: An Elizabethan collar (cone) or bandage may be necessary to prevent your pet from licking or scratching the area.
  • Healing: The tumour may shrink and scab over, leaving a small scar. 
  • Safety: Drug residues may be found in the urine and faeces of treated patients for an unknown period after treatment. Individuals in at-risk groups should be particularly careful to avoid contact with patient excreta and saliva.  For canine patients, faeces should be double-bagged for clean-up, and water should be poured over areas where a pet urinates outdoors to dilute any residues. For cats, the litter box should be cleaned every day, taking adequate care when handling and bagging any contaminated litter material.
  • Effective: Studies show approximately an 80% objective response rate for cutaneous/subcutaneous tumours.
  • Palliative & Curative: Used to treat inoperable tumours to improve quality of life, or as an adjuvant to surgery (to kill any cancer cells that might have been left behind).
  • Pet-Friendly: Minimal systemic toxicity. 

This is intended to give general information on veterinary electrochemotherapy. Please consult your vet for a tailored treatment plan for your pet.