Jim Black is fighting the meanest, most aggressive, most common kind of brain tumor in the United States: recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In the United States, each year, approximately 10,000 patients are affected by GBM. Now, a novel investigational device — available only at clinical trial sites — is offering new hope to these patients.
The non-invasive procedure — called Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) — is delivered using a portable device — called the NovoTTF-100A System made by Novocure. The TTF procedure uses alternating electrical fields to disrupt the rapid cell division exhibited by cancer cells.
“Patients with recurrent GBM present a significant treatment challenge,” said Santosh Kesari, M.D., Ph.D., director of neuro-oncology at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. “The initial clinical research for the approval trial demonstrated that, compared to patients who were treated with chemotherapy, patients treated with NovoTTF achieved comparable survival times, had fewer side effects, and reported improved quality of life.”
On average, a patient with GBM survives less than 15 months with optimal treatment and only three to five months without additional effective treatment. The TTF procedure may provide physicians with a fourth treatment option in addition to surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
TTFs inhibit tumor growth by causing cancerous cells to die. The TTF procedure is delivered using non-invasive, insulated transducer arrays (electrodes) that are placed directly on the skin in the region of the tumor. The hat-like collection of electrodes connects to a portable device which is slightly thicker than a laptop and weighs about six pounds. The device sends a low intensity, alternating electric field into the tumor which prevents the cells from dividing and spreading and causes cancer cells to die.
The most commonly reported side effect from NovoTTF is a mild-to-moderate scalp rash, beneath the electrodes. The FDA-approved device is intended as an alternative to standard medical therapy for GBM after surgical and radiation options have been exhausted.
“When all other options have been exhausted, patients are willing to do just about anything to keep the tumor at bay,” said Kesari. “This device gives them an opportunity to fight back, to feel like they are taking an active, hands-on role in their own treatment, and provides tremendous hope.”
Date: 2012-02-03
Contact: Kim Edwards
Phone: (619) 543-6163
Email: [email protected]
What a tragic disease. I am so sorry for all these sufferers and their families.
Hi there. My name is Claudiu, I am also from Romania and my father has a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade IV tumor. He has 2 years (in March) from when he discovered this awful disease. First he got surgery (March 2011), after which he tried an alternative sodium bicarbonate cure in Argentina (August-September 2011), then got surgery again after recurring (March 2012), then after recurring again (September 2012), the doctors said that it isn’t operable, because it is to deep this time. So he started chemoterapy and radioterapy in December 2012. In January at the end, he finished that treatment, and didn’t do it for a full month now. Now he feels bad again, he forgets what he is talking about and other things very often, he is tired, his head hurts. He is 47-years-old. I love him very much, and I will give all the money that I have, even more (from bank credit) if you help me find this kind of system (NovaTTF-100A).
Thank you!
hello,
I write and I hope the good Lord to help me find the way to buy NovoTTF-100A System ™.
And I’m from romania hard for us to have access to this revolutionary system.
My wife has a brain stem glioma And maybe this system will help.
if anyone finds out where, how to purchase this system please let me know.
Thank you so much