Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
- Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
- Donations, website, or event-related assistance
- Tobacco-related topics
- Volunteer opportunities
- Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
- Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
- Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Targeted Drug Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Palliative Procedures for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Treatment Choices for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, by Stage
- If You Have Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
- If You Have Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Lung Cancer Quiz
- Lung Cancer Videos
Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers have found that exposing some types of cancer cells to alternating electric fields, also known as tumor treating fields (or TTFields), can interfere with the cells’ ability to grow and spread.
A wearable device known as Optune Lua is a TTFields treatment that creates such electric fields. It is an option to help treat some people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
When might TTFields be used to treat NSCLC?
Optune Lua can be used along with either an immune checkpoint inibitor or with the chemotherapy drug docetaxel to treat some people with metastatic NSCLC that has grown during or after treatment with chemotherapy.
How is TTFields therapy given?
For this treatment, the chest and/or back is shaved (if needed), and pads containing sets of electrodes are placed on the skin, usually 2 on the chest and 2 on the back.
The electrodes are attached to a battery pack (kept in a backpack) and are worn for most of the day - typically at least 18 hours. They create mild electric currents that are thought to affect cancer cells more than normal cells.
Possible side effects of TTFields therapy
Side effects of the device are usually limited to the electrode sites. They can include:
- Skin irritation
- Allergic reactions
- Local warmth and tingling sensations
- Muscle twitching
- Infections
- Breakdown of the skin (ulcers)
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Neal JW. Subsequent-line therapy in non-small cell lung cancer lacking an actionable driver mutation. UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/subsequent-line-therapy-in-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-lacking-an-actionable-driver-mutation on October 29, 2024.
Last Revised: October 29, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.