How Electrochemotherapy Changed the Life of a Dog Diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

April Burke and Lily, a puggle, found each other under unexpected circumstances, and their bond set both of their lives on a new path. Initially hesitant to care for the dog, April quickly realized that Lily was her "heart dog." However, Lily was not in great shape—she was overweight, suffered from skin infections, and had a large tumor on her cheek.

After being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, Lily underwent surgery at the Luke and Lily Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic to surgically remove the tumor. But when it began to grow back, April feared she was out of options due to the high cost of cancer treatment. That’s when a conversation with Dr. Carrie Wood, a veterinary oncologist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, introduced a new treatment option: electrochemotherapy (ECT).

How did you feel when you first learned about Lily’s cancer diagnosis, and what were your main concerns?

April Burke: Dr. Wood explained to me that while Lily's squamous cell carcinoma isn’t necessarily life-threatening, if left untreated it could eventually spread to other parts of her body.  My main concern was Lily’s comfort and how the treatment might affect her quality of life.  Dr. Wood reassured me that although she might be uncomfortable for a few days, electrochemotherapy was a treatment option that would not affect her overall quality of life. I trusted Dr Wood’s recommendation for electrochemotherapy, and she explained that she could not guarantee the tumor was eliminated but that we could at least decrease its size significantly.

Can you explain how electrochemotherapy (ECT) works and why it was an effective treatment for Lily?

Dr. Wood: Electrochemotherapy combines chemotherapy with electroporation to enhance the uptake of chemo drugs by cancer cells. For Lily, we used bleomycin, administered via IV, and then applied electric pulses to the tumor using an OnkoDisruptor unit. These pulses create temporary pores in the cell membranes, allowing the chemotherapy to penetrate the cancer cells more effectively. My goal, in Lily's case, was to decrease the size of the mass, although it can take up to 2 months after treatment to see the full benefit. 

How did collaboration play a role in the success of Lily’s case?

Dr. Wood: Lily was originally treated by our low-cost/high-volume spay neuter clinic and they removed the tumor and advised April it was likely to recur.  We had also been collaborating with the dermatology service at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and discovered that Lily's chronic, severe skin issues potentially played a role in developing the skin tumor. 

What were the challenges faced during Lily's treatment?

Dr. Wood: Lily’s tumor size and scarring from previous surgeries posed challenges. After her first treatment, she had a skin reaction, so we adjusted the voltage and probe size for subsequent treatments to ensure better results.

What are the next steps in Lily’s treatment plan, and how do you monitor for potential tumor regrowth?

Dr. Wood: Lily comes in for regular exams every 6 to 8 weeks. The once-large tumor is now the size of a nickel, and Lily’s energy and spirit have returned. Electrochemotherapy can be repeated as needed, depending on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health and response to the treatment. Lily has received three treatments so far, and while there has been a small amount of regrowth at the edge of the treatment area, we are planning to repeat the treatment.

This experience has not only given Lily a second chance at life but also inspired April to change careers. She now works at Tufts’ Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals, helping other pet owners navigate their own medical journeys.

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