Advances in the treatment of malignant tumours by electrochemical therapy (ECT).

A total of 4,081 patients with various malignant tumours were treated by electrochemical therapy (ECT) at 66 hospitals in China during the period 1987-1992. The clinical effectiveness of ECT was analysed in 2,516 patients who had complete hospital records. The most common malignant tumours treated with ECT was lung cancer (n = 593), skin cancer (n = 401), liver cancer (n = 388) and breast cancer (n = 228). Two thousand one hundred and twenty-four patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years. Survival rates were 84.3% for 1 year, 79.1% for 2 years, 63.5% for 3 years, 57.8% for 4 years, and 46.6% for 5 years. The 5-year survival for T1 and T2 stages was significantly better than for T3 and T4 stages (66.7% vs. 27.1%, p < 0.05). The short-term objective response (complete and partial response) was 78.1%. ECT is indicated in patients who are unsuitable for operation and radio- or chemotherapy due to old age, and who suffer from general weakness, or insufficiency of vital organs.