What are Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)? 

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a relatively recent breakthrough in cancer treatment. The treatment consists of low-intensity electrical fields that are delivered through the skin via a device directly to the area of a cancerous tumor. These fields pulse at specific frequencies designed to interfere with cancer cell growth, which can slow down a tumor’s growth and its ability to spread.

TTFields can be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemo or immunotherapy. 

When cancer cells attempt to multiply, they rely on precise internal structures to pull themselves apart into two new cells. TTFields disrupt this process by creating a “field of interruption,” preventing the cancer cells from dividing correctly. As a result, many of these abnormal cells die off naturally, slowing tumor growth and reducing the tumor’s ability to spread.  

What makes TTFields different from other forms of cancer treatment? 

Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation work by killing fast-dividing cells. Chemotherapy uses chemicals in medicine to attack fast-dividing cells, while radiation uses energy to damage the DNA of cancer cells.  

While effective against cancer, these treatments do not distinguish effectively between cancerous and healthy cells. As a result, patients often experience side effects such as pain, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, hair loss, and weakened immune function.  

TTFields offers an additional avenue of treatment for certain compatible cancers. Unlike traditional treatment methods, it can distinguish between a healthy cell and cancer cell because cancer cells have different electrical and structural properties than healthy cells. As cancer becomes more advanced, these differences become even more pronounced, making cancer cells increasingly susceptible to TTFields. 

The advantage to patients is that TTfields therapy does not add side effects like nausea, fatigue, or diarrhea, all of which are typical of chemotherapy and radiation.  TTFields is not an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation—it is meant to be used in combination with those treatments. 

Importantly, TTFields are non-invasive and virtually painless. Patients typically wear a portable device that delivers the fields continuously over extended periods of time. This precision allows TTFields to slow or stop cancer growth without adding any side effects. 

How cancer grows (metastasizes) 

Cancer metastasizes when cancer cells multiply uncontrollably. Unlike healthy cells, which divide in an orderly and regulated way, cancer cells ignore normal growth signals of the body and instead, replicate themselves rapidly, invading nearby tissue. Cancer cells can eventually break away from the original tumor to spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or other systems of the body. 

This rapid, disorganized division of cancer cells is difficult to treat, but it is also what makes them vulnerable to TTFields. TTFields specifically targets the mechanics of cell division, striking cancer at its most critical point of growth. 

Are there any side effects to TTFields? 

TTFields has been noted not to provide any systemic side effects like those incurred from chemotherapy and radiation. Because electrodes of the device that deliver TTFields are applied to the skin with adhesive patches, any reported side effects of treatment are typically limited to the electrode sites, such as skin irritation.  

Any side effects experienced during treatment can also vary based on other health issues or combined treatments.  

What cancers can Tumor Treating Fields treat? 

Tumor Treating Fields have shown effectiveness in several cancers and continue to be studied across different types of cancer. Currently, TTFields are used or being evaluated for cancers such as:  

• Brain cancers (new or recurrent glioblastoma)  

• Lung cancer (metastatic non-small cell lung cancer) 

• Pleural mesothelioma that can’t be removed with surgery (unresectable) 

• Pancreatic cancer (Locally advanced) 

This technology is currently being used to treat Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer at Frederick Health. If you have further questions about this treatment, please call our Oncology & Hematology team at 240-566-4100. 

Life-extending therapy 

TTFields can potentially extend the life of a cancer patient by slowing the growth of cancer cells, without significantly harming a patient’s quality of life. In addition to minimal side effects compared to chemotherapy and radiation, TTFields also offer several meaningful advantages for patients such as:  

• Non-invasive and painless treatment  

• Continuous therapy, targeting cancer cells throughout the day  

• Preservation of healthy cells, improving quality of life  

• Can be treated at the comfort of home, depending on the type of cancer 

• Compatibility with other treatments, allowing combination therapy when appropriate  

For many patients, this means they can continue daily activities while receiving treatment for cancer. 

How can I receive Tumor Treating Fields? 

Frederick Health is among the early healthcare systems in the country to offer Tumor Treating Fields for certain hard-to-treat cancers and was the first healthcare system in the United States to offer it to treat advanced pancreatic cancer. TTFields is currently being used to treat Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer at Frederick Health.  

There are certain eligibility criteria to receive TTFields at Frederick Health. For TTFields treatment with Pancreatic Cancer specifically, eligible patients are newly diagnosed, have locally advanced pancreatic cancer with no previous treatment history. For TTFields treatment with Lung Cancer; the treatment is for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

It is important to note that TTFields is not an alternative to chemotherapy; the device must be used during the delivery of chemotherapy, as it is not a standalone application. 

If you are interested in learning more about TTFields, speak with Frederick Health’s Oncology & Hematology team at 240-566-4100.