Use of electrochemotherapy in a case of neck skin metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: Case report and considerations

Background. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral cavity malignant tumor. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have been the major options for its treatment. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel local treatment successfully used in secondary or primary skin or subcutaneous tumors. This new cancer treatment is a modality in which a locally applied electrical field enhances cell membrane permeability, thereby allowing greater intracellular accumulation of a chemotherapeutic agent. Methods. We report a case of a man affected by an ulcerated SCC. The man was treated with ECT with good results. Results. In our case, ECT was successful in the management of extensive metastasis of SCC in clinical conditions, whereas other approaches were rejected. Conclusion. This case shows good clinical results; however, other studies are necessary to show that ECT should be considered as a promising treatment option. (C) 2014 The Authors. Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.