Recent case studies highlight the remarkable progress of two mesothelioma patients who underwent long-term treatment with tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy.
TTFields therapy, which uses electrical pads to stop cancer, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mesothelioma in 2019 following success in a clinical trial. Patients continued to receive TTFields therapy after the trial ended and achieved long-term survival.
Learn more about the impact of TTFields treatment on mesothelioma and how it helped these two patients beat the odds.
Understanding TTFields Treatment for Mesothelioma
TTFields is an innovative treatment that uses electrical currents to target cancer and shrink tumors without harming healthy cells. The current is delivered through special pads that are placed on the skin close to the tumor.
The Optune Lua® is the only device that’s FDA-approved to treat pleural mesothelioma.
TTFields can be used with other mesothelioma treatments, including:
One major benefit of TTFields therapy is that the devices are portable and can be used at home, making treatment more comfortable and convenient.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, finding the right specialist is critical. Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with medical experts who can provide the best care.
Two Success Stories With TTFields Maintenance Therapy
Based on two case studies published in Science Direct, TTFields significantly extended survival when used as a maintenance treatment after chemotherapy.
The first case study looked at a 63-year-old male who had stage 4 pleural mesothelioma.
Doctors treated the patient with TTFields and 6 cycles of chemotherapy for 4.5 months. He then continued TTFields therapy at home for 64 months. As of November 2023, he had remained in remission for over 8 years — an incredible result considering the average life expectancy for stage 4 mesothelioma is just 12 months.
TTFields is often added to chemotherapy treatment since it interferes with certain proteins that help fix damaged DNA in cancer cells.
The second case study involved a 52-year-old man with stage 3 pleural mesothelioma. The cancer caused a tumor to grow in his neck.
This patient received TTFields therapy and 6 cycles of chemotherapy. After just a week, his chest pain and other mesothelioma symptoms improved.
The patient showed positive progress and continued TTFields therapy for 16 months before the cancer spread to the abdomen and they stopped treatment. He lived more than 3 years before passing away.
By continuing TTFields therapy after their initial treatment, these two patients far surpassed the average mesothelioma life expectancy of 12-21 months. Their stories show that TTFields therapy could become a vital option for patients seeking non-invasive treatment.
Get Help Finding the Right Mesothelioma Treatment
This study shows that long-term TTFields therapy can potentially improve the prognosis for patients with pleural mesothelioma.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, help is available. The Mesothelioma Hope team can connect you with specialists who can determine if TTFields and other treatments are a good fit for you.
Use our Free Doctor Match service or give us a call at (866) 608-8933 to get started.
