[Pilot study of effectiveness of electrotherapy in the experimental liver metastasis model]

The aim of the present was to assess the effectiveness of low level direct current therapy in liver metastases and the influence of polarity (anode or cathode in the center of the tumor) or current dose (60 or 80 C/cm3). Colorectal metastases were established in 25 BD IX rats by injection of DHD/K12 colon cancer cells under the liver capsule. After 3 weeks the tumors were treated by low level direct current therapy (applied with five platinum electrodes). Histological examination of the removed livers on postoperative day 7 revealed significant destruction of the metastases with localized necroses. The best treatment results were obtained in the group with an anode in the center and a current dose of 80 C/cm3. We conclude that low level direct current therapy may offer an alternative minimal invasive method in the treatment of liver metastases.