Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Bone Metastases: A Systematic Review

Background and aim: Cancers are one of the most frequent causes death disability in humans. Skeletal involvement has a major impact on quality life prognosis cancer patients. Electrochemotherapy is palliative minimally invasive oncologic treatment that was first used to treat subcutaneous nodules for malignant tumors. The aim our review evaluate results electrochemotherapy bone metastases. Methods: A systematic literature indexed PubMed MEDLINE Cochrane Library databases using search key words “electrochemotherapy” AND (“metastasis” OR “metastases”) performed. Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews MetaAnalyses followed. Inclusion criteria were proven appendicular skeleton metastatic carcinoma or melanoma, through at least percutaneous session lesion. exclusion criterion no skeletal involvement. Results: Eight articles finally included. We reached population 246 mean age follow up 60.1 years old 11.4 months, respectively. represented primary tumor breast (18.9%). total 250 lesions treated with electrochemotherapy. According RECIST criteria, we observed 55.5% stable diseases. pre-electrochemotherapy VAS value 6.9, which lowered 2.7 after treatment. Adverse events occurred 3.4% Conclusions: as tissue-sparing should be considered patients other alternative obtain control improvement life.