Electro-Chemical Cancer Treatment (ECT)

Introduction

Electro medicine has been widely used for many years, especially in orthopedics where it has been used for regeneration, i. e., to increase the healing process in broken bones (1) and pain purposes. In Oncology, however, the use of electromedicine (ECT) is relatively new and stems from research investigations of Pekar (2) and Nordenström (3). Since 1987, St. Georg Hospital has treated hundred of patients with this method of treatment. Direct current can be directed into tumorous tissue (skin metastases, lymph node metastases or isolated organ metastases) through the application of electrodes. If the total amount of direct current is high enough, this procedure can result in the destruction of cancerous cells and in extreme cases, no necrotization.

Z O O M   I M A G E Electro-Chemical Cancer Treatment (ECT)

Physical-chemical principles of ECT

As soon as direct current is connected to the electrodes, different electrochemical reactions influence the pH-value and can cause electrolysis of tumor tissue. Depolarization of the cell membranes changes the cellular environment forcing the tumor cells to be gently destroyed. Consequence of this process is the interruption of certain functions within the cancerous cells, which in turn, can lead to the destruction of these cells. Tumor tissue is more susceptible to direct current than normal tissue, thus allowing the destruction of cancerous cells to occur when direct current is applied directly to the malignant tissue. The body 's own catabolic processes remove the destroyed malignant tissue from the body. It is also possible that through this process the immune system starts fighting all other cancer cells within the body. Once ECT or Galvano (as it is commonly known) treatment is successfully completed, the cancerous are treated, heals and is replaced with scar tissue.

What types of toumor are suitable for ECT?

ECT is suitable for all types of superficial or deep seated tumors, which can be reached by needle elektrodes. Specifically, however, are:

• small mama carcinomas or isolated axillary, supraclavicular and thoracic nodes.
• all toumors of the ENT area, especially after radiation or chemotherapy.
• skin carcinomas e. g. Basaliome, Spinocellular carcinoma, Melanoma etc.
• gynecological carcinomas;
• soft tissue toumors

Special form of ECT using cytostatic substances (Iontophoresis)

The destructive effect of the direct current on tumorous tissue can be enhanced by the simultaneous administration of cytostatic substances, for example, Mitomycin, Adrimycin, Epirubicin and Cis-Platinium. Most cytostatic substances are positively charged, which when inserted onto the anode in an electrical field directed through tumorous tissue move to the cathodes (iontophoresis movement). In this way, cytostatics can be introduced into the tumorous tissue in a very targeted and concentrated manner. This method can be more effective on the tumor side than standard systemic chemotherapy or local cytostatic perfusion. Cytostatic substances are best applied to hollow organs, for example, esophagus, bladder, stomach and rectum. The membrane potentials are changed so much by the current that the cells open and absorb cytostatic substances more rapidly.

How is the treatment carried out?

Normally the treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and on an outpatient basis. The size of the Tumor determines how many needle elektrodes are required, however, a minimum of 2 are always used. These are introduced into the tumor through the skin. The electrodes should not be further than 1.5 cm apart. The minimum required electric field must be 35 coulombs/ml although upto 90 coulombs/ml are normally used. During the treatment, the patient will experience a slight pressure pain or a slight tingling in the treated area. Direct current brings about long lasting pain relief because it inhibits the activity of sensory nerve fibers. Therefore there is no pain after treatment. However because the cancerous tissue is being destroyed through this method of treatment, it is normal that inflammation occurs for a couple of days afterwards. The cancerous tissue is broken down naturally, which when eliminated from the body is replaced by scar tissue. Superinfections rarely occur. ECT replaces operations and radiation treatment. Judging by the very positive therapy results, it can be assumed, that ECT will become an important form of treatment for malignant diseases.

Literature

1.	Senn, E.	"Electro therapy" published in: Thieme Verlag
2.	Pekar, R.	"Percutaneous galvano therapy of tumors" in: Verlag W. Maudrich; Vienna - Munich - Bern
3.	Nordenström, B.	published in: The European Journal of Surgery Suppl. 577, Pg. 93-109, Scandinavian University Press
4.	Douwes, F.R.	"The Basics of Electrochemical Cancer Treatment" 1994
5.	Szasz, A.	Advance Alternative Medicine AAM-Series
6.	Plesnicar, A.	"Electric Treatment of Human Melanoma Skin-Lesions with Low Level Direct Current" published in: The European Journal of Surgery Suppl. 574, S. 45-49, Scandinavian University Press
7.	Kuanhong Quan	"Analysis of the Clinical Effectiveness of 144 Cases of Soft Tissue and Superficial Maligniant Tumours Treated with Electrochemical Therapy" in: The European Journal of Surgery Suppl. 574, S. 45-49, Scandinavian University Press
8.	Yunqin Song	"Electrochemical Therapy in the Treatment of Malignant Tumours on the Body Surface" in: The European Journal of Surgery Suppl. 574, S. 41-43, Scandinavian University Press

General Information
Basic Therapies

Hyperthermia
Local Regional Hyperthermia
Prostate Hyperthermia
Interstitial High Frequency Thermotherapy (HFTT)
Systematic Whole Body Hyperthermia (SWBH)
Electro-Chemical Cancer Treatment (ECT)

Balneo-Physical Department
Psychotherapy and Art Therapy