14 DAY TRIAL // Chemotherapy has often been compared to exposing one's self to lethal chemicals while hoping the cancer will die before you do. The reality is not quite as bad, but it is close.
There aren't many alternatives, but occasionally someone comes up with a promising idea. Iontophoresis may just be such an idea.
The technique is used in various lab tests, but is currently studied by a team of scientists from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech (among other people) for its potential as a treatment. And it might be the best concept yet.
The idea is to implant a reservoir of chemotherapy drugs in a tumor, or place it on the skin to create an electric field that forces drugs directly to and through the cancerous tissue.
This exposes the cancerous cells to the chemicals while keeping the impact on the surrounding, healthy tissue minimal.
This highly targeted form of treatment might not be perfect, but the difference between normal exposure and injections and iontophoresis is wide enough that everything from fatigue and hair loss to nausea and vomiting could be eliminated. Especially if radiation therapy is added to the approach.
Pressure built around a tumor (caused by leaks from the tumor blood vessels) can be overcome this way as well.
At present, iontophoresis cannot be used alone effectively, but it should complement or supplement regular treatments and reduce the suffering and mortality rate among cancer patients.