The Rising Power of Electrochemotherapy in Musculoskeletal Oncology

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Electrochemotherapy (ECT) leverages reversible electroporation to enhance local chemotherapy efficacy.
• Originally for cutaneous malignancies, ECT has expanded to musculoskeletal pathologies.
• Advancements in electrode design and image guidance have driven ECT's evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on electrochemotherapy's application in musculoskeletal conditions.
• To assess ECT's efficacy, complications, and recurrence rates in oncologic and primary pathologies.
• To highlight established and emerging uses of ECT in bone and soft tissue tumors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on electrochemotherapy in musculoskeletal oncology.
• Analysis of data on treatment efficacy, adverse events, and recurrence.
• Focus on established indications (metastatic tumors) and emerging applications (primary tumors, vascular malformations).

Main Results:

• Electrochemotherapy demonstrates significant efficacy in treating cutaneous malignancies.
• Growing evidence supports its use in bone and soft tissue tumors and vascular malformations.
• Initial findings suggest potential for treating desmoid fibromatosis and other soft tissue tumors.

Conclusions:

• Electrochemotherapy is an evolving, minimally invasive treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.
• It offers a viable option for both metastatic and primary bone and soft tissue tumors.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate its role and optimize outcomes.