OHC offers a treatment called Optune for patients who are 22 years of age or older and diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM). Optune has been shown to slow progression of the cancer and reduce the symptoms associated with the disease.
Optune is made of strips of electrodes that cover a patient’s shaved head. The electrodes create low-intensity, alternating electrical fields that are designed to slow the growth of cancer cells. Optune can also shrink the tumor, which reduces pressure on areas of the brain where the tumor is located, thus alleviating symptom such as headaches, nausea, memory loss, and changes in personality.
OHC patients say the cap is relatively comfortable and they feel almost nothing while wearing it – no tingling or electric pulses. And, they say removal feels similar to removing a band-aid.
Optune is an option for the following types of patients:
- Those with newly diagnosed GBM. It is used together with a chemotherapy called temozolomide if:
- Your cancer is confirmed by your healthcare professional AND
- You have had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible
- Those whose tumor has returned. It can be used alone as an alternative to standard medical therapy if:
- You have tried surgery and radiation and they did not work or are no longer working AND
- You have tried chemotherapy and your GBM has been confirmed by your healthcare professional
For patients who choose Optune, they must wear the Optune cap for a minimum of 18 hours per day, while connected to a portable battery pack and generator. The length of treatment depends on a number of factors. Your OHC doctor will determine how long you should wear Optune.
Your OHC doctor will provide you with complete details about Optune and then help you decide if it’s a treatment you want to use. If you’d like more information, please call us at 1-800-710-4674 or read this story from an OHC cancer patient who benefitted from Optune.
