TTFields treatment for mesothelioma shows promise

Louisville residents with mesothelioma are usually treated by way of chemotherapy. There is another treatment, though, that the FDA has approved for use alongside chemotherapy called TTFields, or Tumor Treating Fields. The treatment makes use of electric fields that disrupt the division of mesothelioma tumor cells, possibly keeping them from spreading uncontrollably.

A report written by researchers from the West Cancer Center and Research Institute shows that TTFields treatment can help save patients’ lives by making the chemotherapy more effective. A study back in April had patients with pleural mesothelioma undergo the treatment; they lived an average of six months longer than those who only underwent chemotherapy. Ninety-seven percent of patients experienced some level of disease control.

The only obstacle is that doctors may not accept TTFields treatment and learn to utilize it. Many may find it hard to adapt to the idea of using electrical devices to treat cancer. Also, those doctors who choose to utilize it will need to be trained and certified by Novocure, the company that pioneered TTFields treatment.

TTFields treatment is relatively new, and it’s the first mesothelioma treatment to find FDA approval since 2004. Researchers are confident that it will join chemotherapy and surgery as one of the standard methods for treating asbestos-related cancers.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, so patients with the cancer should have a good idea where and how they were exposed to this mineral. Perhaps it was on the job or through the use of certain tainted products. There are times when mesothelioma patients may be able to file a claim and be reimbursed for their medical bills, lost wages and other economic and non-economic damages. It all depends on the negligence of another party. Victims may have a lawyer evaluate their case before moving forward.