Person wearing Optune for glioblastoma Person wearing Optune for glioblastoma
Travel support

Travel support from nCompass®

To help prevent stress and treatment disruption, nCompass can support you before and during your travel. We provide 24/7 technical support while you are traveling, as well as helpful travel information as you prepare for your trip.

Gill, an Optune® user and Patient Ambassador

Can I travel with Optune?

Your doctor will need to confirm it’s okay for you to travel. They can provide a note explaining what Optune is, which can help ease check-in and security procedures. Once you have discussed your travel plans with your doctor, contact nCompass toll-free at 1-855-281-9301 so you can start preparing for your trip.

Traveling domestically?

nCompass can help you coordinate your travel and ensure that you will have the supplies and any documentation related to Optune that you may need.

  • Let nCompass know you are traveling at least 1 week before your trip
  • For trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, contact nCompass at least 2 weeks before

Traveling internationally?

nCompass can help you make sure Optune is supported in the country you wish to visit. Travel support is not available in all international countries and depends on the approval status of Optune in your destination country.

  • Contact nCompass at least 4 weeks before you plan to travel

TSA Travel Tips

Inform

Inform TSA that you are wearing a medical device that contains metal

  • The device and arrays will set off airport screening devices
  • When powered down completely, Optune equipment is safe for X-ray security scanning. Please follow TSA directions

Account for extra time

Please allow additional time to proceed through airport security and to your gate. If needed, you can request special assistance from your airline to help you get to your gate

Be aware of restrictions

There are restrictions for transporting lithium-ion batteries (like the ones used with Optune) in checked luggage

Have your TSA letter ready

If you cannot locate the TSA letter provided by your Device Support Specialist during your in-person device training, ask for a new copy. The TSA letter will help make the security process easier

You can also call the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Cares help line toll-free at 1-855-787-2227 to ask about the latest procedures.

The TSA letter will help make the security process easier.

If you cannot locate the TSA letter provided by your Device Support Specialist during your in-person device training, ask for a new copy.

Osmond, an Optune® user and Patient Ambassador

Person wearing Optune for GBM Person wearing Optune for GBM
Did you know?

Before you travel, consult with your airline, cruise line, or train service to make sure your Optune carry-on items comply with their security regulations—and be sure to ask how many batteries you can bring on board.

Optune device and bag

Ready to pack?

Get an Optune travel checklist to help you prepare for your trip.

Download PDF

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Important Safety Information

What is Optune® approved to treat?

Optune is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device indicated to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adult patients 22 years of age or older.

Newly diagnosed GBM

If you have newly diagnosed GBM, Optune is used together with a chemotherapy called temozolomide (TMZ) if:

  • Your cancer is confirmed by your healthcare professional AND
  • You have had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible

Recurrent GBM

If your tumor has come back, Optune can be used alone as an alternative to standard medical therapy if:

  • You have tried surgery and radiation and they did not work or are no longer working AND
  • You have tried chemotherapy and your GBM has been confirmed by your healthcare professional

Who should not use Optune?

Optune is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have:

  • An implanted medical device (programmable shunt), skull defect (missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragment. Optune has not been tested in people with implanted electronic devices, which may cause the devices not to work properly, and Optune has not been tested in people with skull defects or bullet fragments, which may cause Optune not to work properly
  • A known sensitivity to conductive hydrogels (the gel on the arrays placed on the scalp like the ones used on EKGs). When Optune comes into contact with the skin, it may cause more redness and itching or may rarely cause a life-threatening allergic reaction

Do not use Optune if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Optune is safe or effective during pregnancy.

What should I know before using Optune?

Optune should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure®, the maker of Optune.

  • Do not use any parts that did not come with the Optune Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor
  • Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet
  • If you have an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune treatment

What are the possible side effects of Optune?

The most common side effects of Optune when used together with chemotherapy (temozolomide, or TMZ) were low blood platelet count, nausea, constipation, vomiting, tiredness, scalp irritation from the device, headache, seizure, and depression. The most common side effects when using Optune alone were scalp irritation (redness and itchiness) and headache. Other side effects were malaise, muscle twitching, fall and skin ulcers. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions.

Please click here for the Optune Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

On this site, patient and healthcare professional videos as well as all images labeled as Optune users, caregivers, or healthcare professionals depict actual patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. All other depictions of patients and caregivers are actor portrayals. Patient images reflect the health status of the patients at the time each photo was taken.

Read more

Important Safety Information

What is Optune® approved to treat?

Optune is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device indicated to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adult patients 22 years of age or older.

Newly diagnosed GBM

If you have newly diagnosed GBM, Optune is used together with a chemotherapy called temozolomide (TMZ) if:

  • Your cancer is confirmed by your healthcare professional AND
  • You have had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible

Recurrent GBM

If your tumor has come back, Optune can be used alone as an alternative to standard medical therapy if:

  • You have tried surgery and radiation and they did not work or are no longer working AND
  • You have tried chemotherapy and your GBM has been confirmed by your healthcare professional

Who should not use Optune?

Optune is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have:

  • An implanted medical device (programmable shunt), skull defect (missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragment. Optune has not been tested in people with implanted electronic devices, which may cause the devices not to work properly, and Optune has not been tested in people with skull defects or bullet fragments, which may cause Optune not to work properly
  • A known sensitivity to conductive hydrogels (the gel on the arrays placed on the scalp like the ones used on EKGs). When Optune comes into contact with the skin, it may cause more redness and itching or may rarely cause a life-threatening allergic reaction

Do not use Optune if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Optune is safe or effective during pregnancy.

What should I know before using Optune?

Optune should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure®, the maker of Optune.

  • Do not use any parts that did not come with the Optune Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor
  • Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet
  • If you have an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune treatment

What are the possible side effects of Optune?

The most common side effects of Optune when used together with chemotherapy (temozolomide, or TMZ) were low blood platelet count, nausea, constipation, vomiting, tiredness, scalp irritation from the device, headache, seizure, and depression. The most common side effects when using Optune alone were scalp irritation (redness and itchiness) and headache. Other side effects were malaise, muscle twitching, fall and skin ulcers. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions.

Please click here for the Optune Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

On this site, patient and healthcare professional videos as well as all images labeled as Optune users, caregivers, or healthcare professionals depict actual patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. All other depictions of patients and caregivers are actor portrayals. Patient images reflect the health status of the patients at the time each photo was taken.