Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a type of cancer treatment that combines the use of chemotherapy drugs with specifically generated electric pulses.
The electric pulse temporarily increases the permeability of the cell membrane, allowing the chemotherapy drug molecules to enter the cancer cells more easily.
Here are four key features of ECT:
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Targeted delivery: The electric pulse is delivered directly to the tumor, which helps to limit the exposure of healthy tissue to the chemotherapy drugs. This can help to reduce side effects and improve the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
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Synergy with chemotherapy drugs: ECT has been shown to be more effective at killing cancer cells than chemotherapy alone. By increasing the amount of chemotherapy drug that enters the cancer cells, ECT can boost the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
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Minimally invasive: ECT is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require surgery. This can make it a good option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or for those who are recovering from surgery.
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Localized treatment: ECT is typically used as a localized treatment for small, accessible tumors. It is not a systemic treatment and does not affect the entire body like a systemic chemotherapy would. This can be a good option for tumors that are hard to remove surgically or that have spread to other parts of the body.
The safety and efficacy of ECT has been studied and proven through several international studies and its being brought into increasing number of international cancer treatment guidelines and protocols.
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