Electrochemotherapy in Basal & Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head & Neck; A Prospective Study

Background Electrochemotherapy (ECT), a nonthermal locoregional modality, has emerged as a promising alternative for management of basal and squamous cell carcinoma (BCC & SCC) in head and neck (H&N). It can address their substantial therapeutic challenges due to proximity to vital structures and high rates of functional and aesthetic impairment following conventional treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, survival outcomes, and quality-of-life benefits of ECT in a diverse cohort of H&N cancer patients. Method A prospective clinical study was conducted on 70 patients with cutaneous, soft tissue, and mucosal BCC / SCC of the H&N, who underwent ECT either as single mode modality or in combination with other therapeutic procedures. Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to identify predictive response factors and survival assessment. Result The overall objective response rate of the tumors to ECT was 94.2%, with complete remission in 52.9% of patients. Tumor size ≤ 3 cm, BCC histology, primary presentation, and intratumoral injection were significantly associated with higher complete response rates (p < 0.001). One-year local progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS) were 94.2% and 87.1%, respectively. The adverse events were mild and transient. In addition, significant post-treatment improvements were observed in pain, physical function, aesthetic and psychosocial well-being. Conclusion The results reinforce the clinical value of ECT and suggest that with appropriate patient selection and protocol optimization, its efficacy can be significantly enhanced across a broad range of H&N cancers.