Tumor Specific Electroporation (TSE)

Reviewed by: Scott Rizzo, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), MBA

Coming to Evansville with our new hospital

Tumor Specific Electroporation, or TSE, is coming to Veterinary Specialist Partners in Evansville. We will begin offering TSE for dogs and cats when our new hospital opens in early December at 1120 Professional Blvd, Evansville, IN 47714. TSE is not offered at our 104 S Heidelbach Ave location. You may also hear TSE called electrochemotherapy. It will be performed by our internal medicine team.

Until the new hospital opens, our Evansville team is happy to talk with you about whether TSE may fit your pet's plan. Call (502) 901-7990.

What is TSE?

TSE is a form of electrochemotherapy. During treatment, needles are used to apply a brief electric field to the tumor area. The electric field creates temporary openings in the tumor cells, which increases how much of the chemotherapy drug the cells take up. The drug used is bleomycin, which is very well tolerated and does not cause whole body (systemic) side effects.

TSE may be an option for tumors that have shown little or no response to conventional chemotherapy. Because treatment is focused on the tumor, effects on surrounding healthy tissue are generally limited.

How TSE works in four steps

Illustration of a tumor cell surrounded by chemotherapy drug molecules after bleomycin is given — 1 Chemotherapy is given

Illustration of a brief electric field opening temporary pores in a tumor cell membrane so the chemotherapy drug can enter — 2 Pores open

Illustration of the tumor cell pores closing, with a lock symbol showing the drug is kept inside the cell — 3 Pores close

Illustration of the tumor cell breaking apart as immune cells gather around it — 4 Tumor cells are targeted

Chemotherapy is given. The chemotherapy drug is given to your pet.
Pores open. The electric field forms temporary pores in the tumor cell membranes so the drug can enter.
Pores close. The pores close after treatment, keeping the drug inside the tumor cells.
Tumor cells are targeted. The drug breaks down tumor cell DNA, small blood vessels feeding the tumor clot off, and the immune system is activated.

When TSE may help

TSE can help when surgery would be hard or would take a lot of healthy tissue, such as tumors on the mouth, tongue, head, face, neck, lower legs and paws. It may also be used:

After surgery, when tumor cells may remain at the edges
Before surgery, to help shrink a tumor
As comfort care, to slow tumor growth and support quality of life

TSE has been used for mast cell tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, fibrosarcoma, perianal tumors, anal sac adenocarcinoma and other tumors near the surface of the body. It may also be used for nasal lymphoma when the mass is pushing through the nasal bone, but it does not treat lymphoma that has spread through the body (systemic lymphoma). We will help you decide if it is right for your pet.

What to expect on treatment day

Your pet will be sedated so they stay still and comfortable. General anesthesia is not needed. The area is shaved and cleaned.
The drug, bleomycin, is given into the bloodstream (IV) or directly into the tumor. Then a brief electric field is applied to the tumor area.
The procedure is quick, usually 30 minutes or less.
Your pet wakes in a calm area and can go home the same day.

How many treatments will my pet need?

The number of treatments depends on the type and size of the tumor. For most pets, we recommend a minimum of 2 treatments. Treatments are typically given 2 to 3 weeks apart, with no rechecks needed in between. The schedule may vary based on your pet's tumor and healing progress.

Timeline showing treatment 1 at week 0, treatment 2 about 2 to 3 weeks later, and treatment 3 if needed, with no recheck visits between treatments

Typical TSE schedule

After treatment

The treated area may swell, change color, turn black or crust. Looking worse before it looks better is a normal part of healing.
Once healed, the skin may be slightly lighter or darker than before.
This is usually not a painful procedure, but we will send your pet home with pain medication just in case.

Inside our TSE treatments

vetIQure electroporation handpiece on a sterile drape

vetIQure electroporation unit with sterile supplies ready for treatment

Care team in gowns beside the vetIQure electroporation unit

Smiling cream golden retriever getting a hug from a veterinary team member before treatment

Happy chocolate Labrador getting a hug from his care team before tumor treatment

Senior mixed breed dog lying calmly on the floor in a clear cone while waiting for treatment

Chocolate Labrador standing calmly with his veterinary care team before treatment

Smiling veterinary team treating a sleeping cat with tumor specific electroporation

Wide view of the procedure room as the team treats a sleeping dog with electroporation

Veterinarian gently treating a sleeping chocolate Labrador wearing a yellow eye cover

Sleeping golden retriever wearing a palm tree eye mask while a team member keeps her comfortable

Gloved hands gently supporting a sleeping cat's head during electroporation treatment

Gloved hands giving IV medication to a sleeping dog just before electroporation

What the research shows

Electrochemotherapy has been studied in dogs and cats for more than 20 years. In one published study of dogs with mast cell tumors that could not be fully removed by surgery, 85% responded to electrochemotherapy. Results depend on the tumor type and size, and we will talk with you about what to expect for your pet.

Download the TSE handout (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

When will TSE be available in Evansville?

TSE will begin when our new Evansville hospital opens in early December at 1120 Professional Blvd, Evansville, IN 47714.

Can my pet have TSE at 104 S Heidelbach Ave?

Not at this time. TSE in Evansville will be offered at our new hospital once it opens.

What is Tumor Specific Electroporation?

TSE is a form of electrochemotherapy. A brief electric field opens temporary pores in tumor cells so more of the chemotherapy drug, bleomycin, gets inside. Treatment is focused on the tumor, so effects on nearby healthy tissue are generally limited.

Is TSE the same as electrochemotherapy?

Yes. Electrochemotherapy is another name for the same kind of treatment.

Does my pet need to stay overnight?

No. The procedure is quick, usually 30 minutes or less, and most pets go home the same day.

Will my pet need anesthesia?

No. TSE is done under sedation, not general anesthesia, to help your pet stay still and comfortable.

Is the chemotherapy hard on my pet?

TSE uses bleomycin, which is very well tolerated and does not cause whole body (systemic) side effects.

How many treatments will my pet need?

For most pets, we recommend a minimum of 2 treatments, typically given 2 to 3 weeks apart, with no rechecks needed in between.

Is TSE painful?

TSE is usually not a painful procedure, but we will send your pet home with pain medication just in case.

What will the treated area look like?

The area may swell, change color, turn black or crust. Looking worse before it looks better is a normal part of healing. Once healed, the skin may be slightly lighter or darker than before.

Who performs TSE at VSP?

TSE is performed by our internal medicine team.

How do I get started?

Call (502) 901-7990, request an appointment, or ask your family veterinarian to send a referral.

Call to action

Call (502) 901-7990 or request an appointment to talk about TSE for your pet. Learn more about our new Evansville hospital.

Research and further reading

These peer reviewed articles describe electrochemotherapy in dogs and cats. They are written for veterinarians.

Practices vary between hospitals. Some of these articles describe treatment under general anesthesia and waiting at least 4 weeks between sessions. Our approach, sedation with sessions 2 to 3 weeks apart, reflects updated recommendations. It is also supported by published work, such as a 2020 study in cats (article 2) in which treatment was given under sedation and a second session was given 2 weeks later.

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Sophia became very lethargic and was in distress during the weekend when our primary Vet wasn't open. We were on our way to another urgent care when they called us to let us know they were on a 4 hour wait. They gave us the phone number for VSP and suggested we call them. VSP got us in immediately, and we could not have been more impressed with the level of care, concern, and attention provided to us. Everyone there (staff, techs, doctors - everyone) were awesome. Treated us with care and respect. The doctors gave great explanations and options to let us decide what was best for Sophia. She had a very serious case of pancreatitis and we nearly lost her. Cannot thank everyone at VSP enough for saving our little girl. Highly recommend to anyone that needs medical attention for their family.

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