ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of energy controllable steep pulses (ECSP) in the treatment of rabbit VX2 cancer implanted in livers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A tumor model was successfully established using 30 rabbits. ECSP were applied to liver cancer in half of these rabbits and the rest were used as controls. After exposure to ECSP, tissues were obtained and subjected by routine HE and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation. The survival time of the animals and the statuses of each group were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From pathological observations, ECSP showed effectively destructive action compared with that of the unexposed group. A clear borderline can be seen between necrotic cancer and its surrounding normal tissue. Irreversible cell changes were present under TEM. The survival periods of the experimental and control group were 83.1 days and 39.0 days respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (Z = -2.943, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ECSP can effectively treat rabbit VX2 cancer implanted in the liver; also it is safe for its surrounding normal tissues. ECSP can be a useful method for local treatment of liver cancer.</p>