What Are TT Fields and How Do They Work?

Tumor-treating fields include a series of cancer treatments that are commonly referred to as the four modalities. These treatments are chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy. They all evolve with their process.

Cancer cases have been spiking up lately, and those in the respective fields have looked in ways of therapies that can lower the chance of the cancer growing. This particular field is what has been in the headline surrounding cancer and therapy, and it was discovered in the early ’00s. they were discovered to slow down the growth of cancer cells and make them more responsive to therapies.

TT fields are low-voltage electrical fields that pulse through the scalp's skin and prevent cancer cells from dividing. The tumor's development and capacity of spreading will be slowed by this "field of disruption."

The FDA accredited a tumor-treating fields device in 2011 for the treatment of certain malignancies, including the most aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM.In one research, individuals with recurrent GBM who had TT fields treatment lived longer than those who had a second round of chemotherapy.

The TT fields therapy is portable equipment, which means it can help individuals treat cancer while they go about their daily lives.

TT fields treatment involves the use of tiny transducers that are adhered to the patient's head with adhesive bandages. To utilize the gadget, you must shave your head. Wires link the transducers to a battery roughly the size of a book, which is hooked into the battery. The batteries are stored in a bag that is worn on the person's back, across the torso, or over the shoulder like a messenger bag. Multiple batteries and a charging station are included in the package. When batteries need to be replaced, the user is notified.

Additional Tips

⦁ The TT fields only damage malignant tumors' fast proliferating cells, not normal ones.

⦁ Certain highly charged proteins in cells are affected by TT fields. These proteins are necessary for cell division, which aids tumor growth and dissemination.

⦁ When a cancer cell is ready to replicate itself, proteins build chains that pull the copies of genetic material in the nucleus apart. This mechanism appears to be disrupted by TT fields.

⦁ The cancer cells self-destruct when the TT fields prevent them from dividing properly.

⦁ More tumor cells die and the tumor shrinks over weeks or months.

Applications and Efficiency

⦁ Tumor-treating fields have been authorized for newly diagnosed (in conjunction with temozolomide) and recurrent glioblastoma, as well as inoperable pleural mesothelioma, and are now being explored in non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer brain metastases.

⦁ The ideal electrical frequency, on the other hand, differs depending on the kind of cancer.

Side Effects

Compared to other therapies for the treatment of cancer, TT fields have a few side effects that are seen.

These are scalp irritation, dryness, peeling, and itching. Secondary skin infections or open sores can occur in certain circumstances, although most of these responses may be avoided or managed if they do occur.

In a 2017 study of patients that are newly diagnosed with glioblastoma, results show that slightly more than half of the people had mild to moderate skin responses, while only two percent of persons had severe responses.

People who have already received radiation to the region or in certain circumstances are more prone to get skin irritation. Some drugs might also make you more irritable on your skin.

Because TT fields are a local treatment, they don't have the same side effects as conventional therapies like chemotherapy. There has been no rise in seizures.