A qualitative evaluation of factors influencing Tumor Treating fields (TTFields) therapy decision making among brain tumor patients and physicians.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Kumthekar P; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Lyleroehr M; Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lacson L; Equal Hope, 300 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.; Lukas RV; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Dixit K; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Stupp R; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Kruser T; Equal Hope, 300 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.; Raizer J; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Hou A; Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.; Sachdev S; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior St, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Schwartz M; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Pa JB; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lezon R; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Schmidt K; Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall Suite 1122 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Amidei C; Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.; Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.; Kaiser K; Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. k-kaiser@northwestern.edu.
- Source
- Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100967800 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-2407 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14712407 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Cancer Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) Therapy is an FDA-approved therapy in the first line and recurrent setting for glioblastoma. Despite Phase 3 evidence showing improved survival with TTFields, it is not uniformly utilized. We aimed to examine patient and clinician views of TTFields and factors shaping utilization of TTFields through a unique research partnership with medical neuro oncology and medical social sciences.
Methods: Adult glioblastoma patients who were offered TTFields at a tertiary care academic hospital were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview about their decision to use or not use TTFields. Clinicians who prescribe TTFields were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview about TTFields.
Results: Interviews were completed with 40 patients with a mean age of 53 years; 92.5% were white and 60% were male. Participants who decided against TTFields stated that head shaving, appearing sick, and inconvenience of wearing/carrying the device most influenced their decision. The most influential factors for use of TTFields were the efficacy of the device and their clinician's opinion. Clinicians (N = 9) stated that TTFields was a good option for glioblastoma patients, but some noted that their patients should consider the burdens and benefits of TTFields as it may not be the desired choice for all patients.
Conclusions: This is the first study to examine patient decision making for TTFields. Findings suggest that clinician support and efficacy data are among the key decision-making factors. Properly understanding the path to patients' decision making is crucial in optimizing the use of TTFields and other therapeutic decisions for glioblastoma patients.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)