Electric field distribution obtained by using the Finite Element Method and 3D reconstruction of a breast carcinoma: Approach to the electroporation of deep-seated tumors by using two needle electrodes

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an application of reversible electroporation currently used in the European clinical practice to enhance absorption of chemotherapeutic drugs successfully used in the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors. High response ratings obtained in these tumors encourages further investigation about the application of ECT in deep-seated tumors. As an approach to real anatomical modeling of target lesions, required in patient-specific treatment planning, it is presented in this work, the electric field distribution in a volume corresponding to a 3D reconstruction of a deep-seated breast carcinoma by applying electric potentials amplitudes from 100 V to 1500 V through two needle electrodes. Results obtained with the Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis show that for the breast carcinoma modeled, the electric potential suggested to be applied between the electrodes must be lower than 500 V to cause reversible electroporation and hence to control ablation regions while preserving the minimal invasiveness.