Electrochemical Lesions in the Rat Liver Support Its Potential for Treatment of Liver Tumors

Background. An effective therapy is needed for patients with surgically unresectable liver tumors who have very limited life expectancy. One possible treatment is electrochemical tumor necrosis. This study investigated the natural history of electrochemical lesions in the normal rat liver. Materials...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of surgical research 2000-09, Vol.93 (1), p.55-62
Main Authors: Wemyss-Holden, Simon A., Robertson, Gavin S.M., Dennison, Ashley R., de la M. Hall, Pauline, Fothergill, John C., Jones, B., Maddern, Guy J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Diseases of the digestive system
Electrolysis
Liver - pathology
Liver Neoplasms, Experimental - pathology
Liver Neoplasms, Experimental - therapy
liver/hepatic tumors
Male
Medical sciences
Necrosis
Other treatments
Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Time Factors
Treatment. General aspects
Tropical medicine
Tumors
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Summary:Background. An effective therapy is needed for patients with surgically unresectable liver tumors who have very limited life expectancy. One possible treatment is electrochemical tumor necrosis. This study investigated the natural history of electrochemical lesions in the normal rat liver. Materials and methods. A direct current generator, connected to platinum electrodes, was used to create controlled areas of liver necrosis. Animals were sacrificed 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after treatment and the macroscopic and histological appearance of the necrotic lesions was followed. Results. No animal died as a result of electrolysis; postoperatively, all gained weight normally. Liver enzymes were significantly (P < 0.001) elevated after treatment, but returned to normal after a week. Two days after electrolysis, histology confirmed an ellipsoidal area of coagulative necrosis at the site of the electrode tip and commonly a segment of peripheral necrosis. After 2 weeks there was histological evidence of healing. By 6 months, very little necrotic tissue remained within a small fibrous scar. Conclusions. Electrolysis is a safe method for creating defined areas of liver necrosis that heal well with no associated mortality. This study supports the potential of electrolysis for treating patients with unresectable liver tumors.
ISSN:0022-4804
1095-8673
DOI:10.1006/jsre.2000.5910