TUMOR TREATMENT BY DIRECT ELECTRIC-CURRENT - TUMOR PERFUSION CHANGES

A single-shot electrotherapy with 0.6 mA direct current for 60 minutes delivered via two needle electrodes placed subcutaneously on opposite sides of a tumor induced statistically significant tumor growth delay ih SA-1 and LPB murine fibrosarcoma tumor models, A prolonged vascula r occlusion is indicated by the results of staining tumors with a Pate nt Blue dye in the SA-1 tumor model immediately and 24 hours after one hour electrotherapy. The almost complete absence of tumor staining af ter treatment with electrotherapy in SA-1 tumors suggested that the tu mor growth retardation could result from this prolonged vascular occlu sion. However, statistically highly significant tumor growth delay in LPB tumors was accompanied by only a slight decrease of a tumor staini ng with Patent Blue. Thus, the observed effect of electrotherapy on bo th tumor growth retardation and perfusion in the LPB tumor model raise s some doubt about the above hypothesis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A .