Numerical Investigation of Electric field, Ion Transport and pH damage during Electrochemical Treatment of Tumors: Effects of Physicochemical Reactions and Chlorine Bleaching

摘要

Electrochemical therapy (EChT) is a promising alternative to conventional tumor treatment due to its relatively high efficiency, flexibility, reduced side effects and versatility. Tumor electrolysis, a form of EChT, utilizes low-level direct electric current (DEC). Electrolysis creates acidic and alkaline zones around anodic and cathodic implant electrodes that contribute to tissue necrosis. In this presentation we introduce two different numerical models of EChT, sodium chloride and bicarbonate buffered models. We demonstrate the models for a configuration of positive and negative straight and opposing electrodes in tumor tissue. The tumor is considered as an aqueous sodium chloride solution with or without bicarbonate buffer constituents. Our simulations predict that an initial condition with a homogeneous and almost neutral pH becomes extremely acidic (pH 2-3) and extremely basic (pH 10-12) in proximity to the anode and cathode, respectively. Concentration profiles of sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, carbonate, after 15 minutes of the EChT and the electrolyte potential distribution, as a function of time, are calculated. This approach and results open a promising area of research that may help in the interpretation of the real consequences of an EChT applied to tumor tissues.