Tumour Treating Fields

Tumour treating fields (TTF) is a non-invasive cancer therapy that uses low intensity, alternating electric fields to disrupt the division of cancer cells.

​Standard-of-care TTF is approved by Health Canada for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and is available within BC.​

​All documents on this webpage are provided for clinician use only.

Referrals

1Discuss and decide with patient

Review the patient handout (PDF) with the patient.

Ensure the patient understands:
  1. The patient will need to shave their scalp. 
  2. The patient must request their own MR images and mail the images to Novocure (refer to the patient handout for details). BC Cancer will cover the shipping charges. Complete this letter template (PDF) to expedite the MR image request
  3. A Novocure (the vendor) device support specialist will work directly with the patient to help set up, use and troubleshoot the device (this will involve in-home visits)
  4. Use of TTF for 18 or more hours per day is associated with better effectiveness. At least one continuous 28-day cycle of TTF is necessary to be able to see a treatment effect
  5. The potential side effects as listed in the treatment protocol (PDF)

 2Submit a CAP request

Review the treatment protocol (PDF) for eligibility criteria.

  • The BC Cancer Compassionate Access Program (CAP) is a secure online web-based system through which physicians across the province can submit requests, check the status of their requests and receive notifications via email about the outcome
If the CAP request is approved, proceed with Step 3. Initial CAP approval is for 13 weeks. To continue treatment, apply to CAP for reapproval. Subsequent approval is valid until disease deterioration.

If the CAP request is denied, reach out to Novocure directly for other funding options.

3Submit the enrolment form

Complete the enrolment form (PDF). A wet signature is required from the patient. 
Email the completed form to ProvincialTxCoordination@bccancer.bc.ca. We will return incomplete forms for completion.

4Provide a letter to expedite MRI request

Complete and provide to the patient a letter to expedite their request for their MR images. We have provided a fillable PDF template​ (PDF) here.

During treatment

Every four weeks during treatment, we will upload a usage report for each patient on TTF to Cerner or CAIS. You should review this usage report with the patient.

You need a second CAP after 13 weeks from the initial CAP approval to continue treatment. The second approval is valid until disease deterioration.

Treatment discontinuation

To discontinue TTF, complete the Treatment Discontinuation Form (PDF) and email to  ProvincialTxCoordination@bccancer.bc.ca​.

Education

Provider education

Providers interesting in offering TTF to patients must complete a certification with Novocure. Reach out to Novocure directly at supportcanada@novocure.com​.