After electrochemotherapy

Electrochemotherapy is usually done as a day case procedure. This means you can go home after.

If you have sedation or general anaesthetic, you will be taken to a recovery area to wake up. After a general anaesthetic or sedation your reasoning, reflexes, judgement and coordination can be affected, even though you might feel fine. You will need someone to take you home after treatment, and stay with you overnight. Occasionally you may need to stay overnight in hospital.

A dressing will be applied to the treatment area. It will take about 2 to 3 weeks for it to heal, but sometimes it can take longer. The area can feel warm and painful for about 2 weeks after. Take painkillers if you need to.

Looking after your wound

Keep the treatment area clean and dry. Keep the dressing in place until your healthcare team tell you to remove or change it.

Do not overexert yourself while the area heals. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running or weights, and do not stretch the area while it’s healing. When resting, try to keep the area elevated if the treated area is on your arm or leg.

If you’re worried about how your wound is healing you can email photos of the wound to your healthcare team. Email the nurse team or clinical nurse specialist, the details are in the contact us section.

Follow-up appointments

Your follow-up appointment should happen 4 weeks after you have electrochemotherapy. At this appointment, your healthcare team will check if your cancer or condition has responded to treatment.

Most people who have this treatment will have some improvement in their symptoms. The results are different for each person.

You may need more electrochemotherapy. However, your healthcare team will usually wait 6 weeks to check your response to the treatment.

Useful information

Macmillan has a support line you can call and information on electrochemotherapy.