Information for patients
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What is ePORE® therapy?
ePORE® therapy is a cancer treatment that involves the application of short electrical pulses to cancer cells using a tiny wire (“electrode”), in combination with a substance called calcium. Calcium is a natural salt that, when introduced in high concentrations within cells, it can kill them. ePORE® is delivered with a device called EndoVE® that is attached to a slim camera (an endoscope). It works by delivering brief (microsecond) electrical pulses to your tumour. The electrical pulses cause small holes (“pores”) to be formed in the surface of the cancer cells, and this allows calcium to enter the cells and kill them.
Concept of ePORE® therapy
(1) Calcium injection surrounds tumour cell.(2) Electrical pulses are applied and this leads to pore formation in tumour cells and calcium entry into the cell.(3) Calcium is absorbed by the tumour cell as the pores close.(4) Calcium kills the cancer cells.
What happens at the hosptial?
You will be examined by your doctor before the procedure to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for ePORE® therapy.
On the day of your ePORE® therapy procedure, your doctor will discuss with you what type of sedation will be used. This is standard procedure during a gastrointestinal endoscopy.
For the procedure, the EndoVE® probe attached to the endoscope/colonoscope will be administered to deliver the electrical pulses.
Once the procedure is completed, you will be observed and monitored by your doctor and will be taken to the recovery area to allow your sedation to wear off. Two days after the procedure, you will need to attend the hospital for a blood test to measure the calcium levels in your blood stream.
What are the advantages of ePORE® therapy?
ePORE® therapy cannot cure cancer, but it may reduce bleeding coming from the surface of tumours due to the delivery of the electrical pulses to the cancer in the gullet or large intestine (colon and rectum). ePORE may also shrink tumours. These effects may improve comfort and quality of life.
ePORE® therapy has also been used to treat skin cancer and has been a safe treatment for over 10 years.
What are the associated risks?
Some patients may experience a mild fever following the treatment, but pain-relieving medication can be prescribed to help relieve this.
Serious side effects such as a tear/hole in the bowel or irregular heart beat from the substance injected (calcium) in the tumour are extremely rare and will be explained by the clinical team responsible for your care.
Are there any alternative treatments?
An alternative option if your tumour causes gullet or bowel blockages is a procedure called “Stenting”. This involves the insertion of a metallic spiral-like cylinder that helps keep the gullet or bowel open. This may be challenging or not possible if the tumour is too high up in the gullet or too low down in the bowel.
Palliative Radiotherapy is also an option, mainly to improve bleeding from the tumour but not so much to relieve bowel blockage from the tumour.
Contact numbers
Colorectal Specialist Nurses
Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
Outside of these hours a recorded message can be left, which will be acted upon the next working day.
Telephone: 01642 624399
Emergency Department
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone: 01642 382899
Further information
References
Frandsen SK, Vissing M, Gehl J. A Comprehensive Review of Calcium Electroporation -A Novel Cancer Treatment Modality. Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(2).
Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints
Patient Experience Team (PET)
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617
Data protection and use of patient information
The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.
Telephone: 01642 383551
Email: [email protected]
Privacy NoticesLeaflet feedback
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:
Email: [email protected]
Leaflet Reference: PIL1402
Date for Review: 10/05/2026
