Browsing by Author "Fernandes, Mafalda Inês Jardim"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Electrochemotherapy as a primary or secondary treatment approach for feline nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma – A retrospective studyPublication . Fernandes, Mafalda Inês JardimSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the third most commonly diagnosed neoplastic skin tumor in cats. Given the aggressive behavior of this neoplasm, the main treatment objective is local tumor control. Due to anatomic constraints and the cosmetic result, it is necessary to consider other therapeutic modalities beyond surgery. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a modality that combines the administration of specific chemotherapeutic drugs with the application of electrical pulses to the tumor. To obtain more information about the efficacy and safety of this treatment and determine possible prognostic factors, 29 cats were retrospectively enrolled. The ECT protocol of was performed combining bleomycin intravenously in 27 animals and cisplatin intralesional in two cases with electrical pulses administration using needle electrodes Type II. Cats were observed 10-15 days after the procedure, and then a monthly check-up was carried out for the first three months. The response was evaluated following RECIST guidelines, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. The response rate was 75.9% and 20.7% of the animals had recurred. The median of PFS was 245 days and the median of OS was 709 days. These values were related to the necrosis grade after the ECT (PFS p = 0.032; OS p = 0.001) and the stage T (p = 0.041), i.e., the characteristics of primary tumor, was related only to OS. With great cosmetic results and few side effects, ECT is an effective and safe treatment and has an important role in nasal planum tumors due to the limitations of surgery.