An apparatus is provided for selectively destroying dividing cells in living tissue formed of dividing cells and non-dividing cells. The dividing cells contain polarizable intracellular members and during late anaphase or telophase, the dividing cells are connected to one another by a cleavage furrow. The apparatus includes insulated electrodes to be coupled to a generator for subjecting the living tissue to electric field conditions sufficient to cause movement of the polarizable intracellular members toward the cleavage furrow in response to a non-homogeneous electric field being induced in the dividing cells. The movement of the polarizable intracellular intracellular members towards the cleavage furrow causes the breakdown thereof which adversely impacts the multiplication of the dividing cells. Preferably, an intervening member is disposed between each insulated electrode and the skin surface and each intervening member includes a conductive floating plate that protects against the effects on the patient from a breakdown in the insulation of the electrode.
