Help to prevent and manage dermatologic adverse events (dAEs)
The most common adverse event associated with Optune in clinical trials was skin irritation beneath the transducer arrays.1 For this reason, it is important to monitor not only the patient’s clinical status, but also his or her scalp health.
Tips to minimize skin irritation1
Advise patients to:
- Change transducer arrays at least twice a week (every 4 days at most)
- Shift transducer arrays during routine exchanges according to transducer array layout map
- Place new array 0.75 inches away from the last place it was on the skin to avoid irritation
- Remove arrays gently by pulling back on the edge of the array, taking a minute to remove each array
- Avoid placing ceramic discs directly over screws, plates, or scars
- Notify provider of erythema or irritation
- Ensure proper ventilation of transducer arrays
Tips to help prevent skin irritation and potential infection1
Advise patients to avoid putting ceramic discs or adhesive tape over areas affected by a dAE when placing or exchanging arrays
Key risk factors correlated with dAEs1:
- High doses of or recent change in systemic corticosteroids
- Concurrent administration of chemotherapy, biologics, or targeted therapies
- Previous skin exposure to ultraviolet or ionizing radiation
- History of contact dermatitis (eg, from tape adhesive or hydrogel)
- Excessive sweating from hot, humid weather or occlusive wigs
- Placement of transducer arrays (ie, ceramic discs) overlying scars or craniotomy hardware
Treatment options for dAEs are dependent upon the type and severity of the dAE.1


Skin irritations seen as a result of treatment with Optune can usually be managed with proper skin care and the use of medications, such as topical corticosteroids and antibiotics, without discontinuing therapy
- Lacouture ME, Davis ME, Elzinga G, et al. Characterization and management of dermatologic adverse events with the NovoTTF-100A System, a novel anti-mitotic electric field device for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Semin Oncol. 2014;41(3 suppl 4):S1-14.
- Novocure Data on File OPT-147.
- Jennings DL II, Sumrall AL, Haggstrom DE. Classification of dermatologic adverse events and management strategies in patients receiving therapy with Optune™ for high grade gliomas. Poster presented at: 2016 Society for NeuroOncology (SNO) Annual Meeting: November 17-20, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ.