Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiation recall skin reaction after electrochemotherapy in a cat
By Spugnini, Enrico P et al.·Published in In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2008·S.A.F.U. Department, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Electrochemotherapy-induced radiation recall in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with a recurring fibrosarcoma (a type of cancer) was treated successfully with electrochemotherapy, which uses electrical pulses to help deliver chemotherapy directly into the tumor. While the tumor did not come back for five months, the cat developed severe skin irritation at the site of previous radiation treatment, leading to painful ulcers that needed further care. The treatment included steroids and antihistamines to manage the skin issues. This case highlights the need for caution when using electrochemotherapy in areas that have been previously irradiated.
People also search for: cat fibrosarcoma treatment · electrochemotherapy for cats · cat skin problems after radiation · cat cancer treatment side effects
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is gaining popularity for the treatment of malignancies of companion animals due to its efficacy and low cost. In this paper, we describe the successful treatment of a recurring fibrosarcoma in a cat by using cisplatin selectively driven within the tumor cells by trains of biphasic pulses. The cat's tumor did not recur over the following five months, however the cat did experience severe erythema at the site of previous irradiation, followed by moist desquamation and ulcer that required debridement and prolonged therapy with steroids and antihistaminic drugs. The symptoms and the response to symptomatic therapy were strongly suggestive of radiation recall. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) should be used with caution in previously irradiated areas. Further studies are warranted in this field due to its potential as a rescue for relapsing tumors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19181001/