| abstract |
Systems and methods for selectively treating abnormal cells, such as cancer cells, by application of a train of electrical pulses are described. The pulse length and the delay between successive pulses are optimized to have an effect on the intracellular membrane potential. Therapies based on the present system and method are selectively killed by two treatment areas: an ablation area surrounding an electrode where abnormal cells are killed non-selectively, and a target cell by an effect on the inner membrane potential. Resulting in a selective treatment area surrounding the ablation area. As a result, infiltrating tumor cells within the tumor margin can be effectively treated while leaving healthy tissue. The systems and methods are useful for treating a variety of cancers in which solid tumors have formed and may recur from microscopic disease surrounding the tumor. [Selection] Figure 1 |