It's clear that finding treatments for glioblastoma, or any kind of tumor, is one of the more trying endeavors in the world. People seem to go about this constantly and, as a result, there seems to be a lot of hope for finding cures. Until that time comes, though, there are ways to take hold of their growth and control it for a prolonged period of time. One bit of tech has seemingly come about in order to moderate the progression of the most aggressive tumor seen in the brain.
Recently, a story was posted on the Daily of the University of Washington and its poke about a brain cap used in order to target these tumors. It would be useful for patients, without question, but what exactly would target the tumors in terms of substances? This cap makes use of electrical fields, which hit the brain. Given the name of NovoTTF, this is not only an engaging story but one that could potentially assist the long-term nature of this method of research.
One of the beneficial traits about this cap is that there are no side-effects after constant use of it. However, there have been a couple of aspects which seem to be more like minor annoyances than anything else. For example, people have cited skin irritation, which seems fair considering that this cap is worn minimum of 18 hours per day. In addition, due to the electrical fields, there is a prolonged exposure to heat, though this has not been a grave issue for patients, either.
Keep in mind that this cap is not designed to kill tumors but rather control them so that they don't grow at exponential rates. Glioblastoma tumors will be the targets of this cap and, so far, there seemed to have been a good number of results which came from it. This cap deserves to have attention brought to it, though, since it can prolong the lives of patients whom battle this condition every day. Organizations along the lines of Voices Against Brain Cancer should make note.
Glioblastoma tumors some of the most common but the fact that they are aggressive, growing quickly than others, is easily one of the most detrimental factors about them. Keep in mind that it's possible for these tumors to be controlled. This is the goal of this brain cap and I believe it's an indication of how far we have come in the ways of technology. Hopefully this instance of technology continues on so that we may be able to find further therapy methods on the matter.
Recently, a story was posted on the Daily of the University of Washington and its poke about a brain cap used in order to target these tumors. It would be useful for patients, without question, but what exactly would target the tumors in terms of substances? This cap makes use of electrical fields, which hit the brain. Given the name of NovoTTF, this is not only an engaging story but one that could potentially assist the long-term nature of this method of research.
One of the beneficial traits about this cap is that there are no side-effects after constant use of it. However, there have been a couple of aspects which seem to be more like minor annoyances than anything else. For example, people have cited skin irritation, which seems fair considering that this cap is worn minimum of 18 hours per day. In addition, due to the electrical fields, there is a prolonged exposure to heat, though this has not been a grave issue for patients, either.
Keep in mind that this cap is not designed to kill tumors but rather control them so that they don't grow at exponential rates. Glioblastoma tumors will be the targets of this cap and, so far, there seemed to have been a good number of results which came from it. This cap deserves to have attention brought to it, though, since it can prolong the lives of patients whom battle this condition every day. Organizations along the lines of Voices Against Brain Cancer should make note.
Glioblastoma tumors some of the most common but the fact that they are aggressive, growing quickly than others, is easily one of the most detrimental factors about them. Keep in mind that it's possible for these tumors to be controlled. This is the goal of this brain cap and I believe it's an indication of how far we have come in the ways of technology. Hopefully this instance of technology continues on so that we may be able to find further therapy methods on the matter.
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