Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Electrochemotherapy for metastases in the skin from tumours of non-skin origin and melanoma
Description
Cancer that starts in one part of the body can spread (metastasise) and form tumours on or below the skin elsewhere in the body, especially when the cancer is severe and widespread. These skin tumours can cause problems such as bleeding, pain or ulceration.
In electrochemotherapy an anticancer drug is given by injection either into a vein or directly into a tumour. Short, powerful pulses of electricity are then applied to the tumour. The electrical energy opens the membranes (outer coverings) of the tumour cells, allowing the anticancer drug to pass through into the cells and have a more damaging effect.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.