Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Electrochemotherapy of Tumours
Published on: December 15, 2008
Cutaneous and subcutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma lesions treated with electrochemotherapy
Raquel Lalanda1, Joana Bartolo1, Sara Carvalhal1
1Study Performed at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Background And Objectives:
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a locally aggressive mesenchymal tumor that involves the lymphovascular system, with a tendency to become multifocal. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is considered a valuable treatment option in selected patients with cutaneous and subcutaneous KS lesions.
Methods:
We report a retrospective study that included 14 classic and endemic KS patients that underwent ECT sessions for the treatment of KS cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions at our institution.
Results:
According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria, our patients had an overall response rate (ORR) of 100% to the ECT treatment. A complete response (CR) was obtained in 92.8% of patients after one or more ECT sessions. Only one patient had a progressive disease (PD). The treatment was well tolerated with a low complication rate, mainly transitory local pain or skin ulceration.
Conclusions:
ECT represents a locoregional therapy for containment and symptomatic control of classic and endemic KS cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. Further studies including different subtypes of KS patients should also be performed.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
01:30Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...