“Optune is the first treatment in more than a decade to show a significant benefit in progression free and overall survival for this type of tumor. This treatment has the potential to consistently extend a patient’s life as opposed to other standard treatments,” said Dr. Chance Matthiesen, Freeman Medical Director of Radiation Oncology. “Furthermore, the treatment has very few side effects and is well-tolerated, meaning most patients with this unfortunate diagnosis will be good candidates to benefit from Optune therapy.”
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Optune is a painless, portable, non-invasive medical device that uses transducer arrays applied to the scalp. The arrays are placed in a formation customized to the patient’s tumor location and size, and deliver “tumor treating fields” to disrupt the division of cancer cells, slowing or stopping cancer growth. The arrays can be worn under a hat, scarf or wig, and the entire device is contained in a shoulder bag.
For best results, Optune must be worn for a minimum of 18 hours per day. The device can be used alongside other cancer treatments.
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. For 2018, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2017 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 70 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.