Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You should use Optune Gio for at least 18 hours a day to get the best response to treatment. Using Optune Gio for less than 18 hours a day lowers the chances that you will respond to treatment. 

When you begin treatment with Optune Gio  work with your doctor to decide how long you should stay on Optune Gio based on your needs. After starting Optune Gio, it may take time to see whether it is working. You and your doctor can review how Optune Gio is working against your tumour and fitting into your lifestyle to decide on the best path forward. Ongoing and continued use of Optune Gio will provide the best response to treatment.

As long as the device and TTFields are turned on, therapy is being delivered. Optune Gio records the amount of time that therapy is delivered per day. Your healthcare team will receive a monthly usage report to monitor your treatment goals.

Yes. Optune Gio is a portable medical device indicated to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adult patients 18 years of age or older.

Newly diagnosed GBM 

If you have newly diagnosed GBM, Optune Gio 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 tumour as possible. 

Recurrent GBM 

If your tumour has come back, Optune Gio 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.

Please ask your doctor before engaging in physical activity to ensure that it is safe for you and appropriate while using Optune Gio.

More frequent array changes may be needed if you’ve performed a physical activity that causes you to sweat more.

It’s important that you keep the device and arrays from getting wet.

Optune Gio was not tested in pregnant women. Do not use Optune Gio if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant.

Women who are able to get pregnant must use birth control when using the device. It is unknown what side effects the device may cause to a pregnant woman. For more information, please consult your doctor.

The MyNovocure^® team has helped many patients and caregivers—in a range of financial situations—start treatment with Optune Gio. 

They will work with your insurance plan and identify resources to help minimize your cost for Optune Gio, regardless of your financial situation. To get in touch with MyNovocure, call 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free).

Arrays need to be applied directly to your shaved scalp to work properly. Even a small amount of hair growth can prevent the arrays from making good contact with your scalp. 

Arrays should be changed at least 2 times per week (every 4 days at most). 

Loose-knit wigs, hats, and head coverings may be worn over the arrays.

After your HCP has written a script prescription and you’re ready to start Optune Gio, MyNovocure^® is ready to help. From the moment your prescription is received, the MyNovocure team is ready to help get you set up and started on treatment. MyNovocure team members will assist with navigating insurance, providing resources to answer questions, and educating you and your caregivers on how to use and incorporate Optune Gio into your daily life.

Loose-knit wigs, hats, and other head coverings may be worn over the arrays.

Please note that Novocure does not recommend or endorse the use of any specific product from any supplier.

Some warming sensation can be expected while using Optune Gio. 

Most people get used to this quickly. If you are especially uncomfortable or experience a rash, sores, or skin ulcers on your scalp, contact your doctor. 

As with any treatment, if you notice any change in your health, please contact your doctor immediately.

Optune Gio has an internal fan that helps it from overheating. The carrying bag that comes with the device has been designed to allow for proper airflow. We recommend that you use one of the bags provided by Novocure.

Yes. Optune Gio has been designed to not interfere with other electronic devices according to international standards. In testing and in real-world use, there have been no problems reported with the use of mobile devices while on treatment.

Using a car adapter is not recommended as Optune Gio is not designed to be plugged into a car charger. 

Please only use those items that were provided to you by Novocure. 

Remember, if you plan to be out for more than 2 hours, carry an extra battery or the power supply with you, in case the current battery runs out.

While Optune Gio will not interfere with a person’s ability to drive, consult with your doctor regarding your ability to drive a car. 

If you’ve been given permission to drive, it is best not to place your device on the floor of the driver’s seat by your feet.

Yes. If your doctor tells you it is okay, travel may be possible with Optune Gio. 

To help prevent unnecessary stress and treatment disruption, MyNovocure is available to support you before, during, and after your travel. 

Once you have discussed with your doctor, contact MyNovocure toll-free at 1-866-320-2006, at least 1 week before your flight. They can help you coordinate your travel and ensure that you will have the supplies and any travel documentation related to Optune Gio that you may need.

Yes. If your doctor tells you it is okay, travel may be possible with Optune Gio. 

To help prevent unnecessary stress and treatment disruption, MyNovocure is available to support you before and during your travel. 

Once your doctor has approved of your travel plans, contact MyNovocure toll-free at 1-866-320-2006 at least 4 weeks prior to your planned departure to make sure Optune Gio is supported in the country you wish to visit. 

• Travel support is not available in all international countries and it is dependent on the approval status of Optune Gio in your destination country.
• Call MyNovocure for a complete list of countries where Optune Gio is currently supported. 

Be aware that the device and arrays will set off airport screening devices, and there are restrictions for transporting lithium-ion batteries (like the ones used with Optune Gio) in checked luggage.

Getting the arrays wet can cause the patches to come loose and interfere with contact to the scalp. If this happens, the alarm may sound and the device may turn off. Any time the arrays become wet or loosen, they should be changed. 

To prevent the arrays from getting wet, cover them with a shower cap when bathing or showering, and leave the device outside of the bathroom. In rainy weather you can use a hat or an umbrella.

Arrays should be changed at least 2 times per week (every 4 days at most), depending upon factors like how quickly your hair grows or how much you sweat. As your hair grows, it prevents the arrays from making good contact with your scalp.

For all X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs the device should always be turned off and the arrays should be disconnected from the connection cable box just as you would do when taking a shower. The device should then be left outside of the procedure room.

Whether or not you also need to remove the arrays depends on what type of test is being performed and on what part of your body. You should speak with your doctor if you are uncertain. If your doctor has questions, they can call MyNovocure at 1-866-320-2006.

Do not attempt to repair the equipment. If you attempt to open the device, you could cause damage or receive an electric shock. All technical service must be performed by qualified, trained personnel. If your device gets damaged or if you need technical support, call MyNovocure toll-free at 1-866-320-2006.

Possible reasons: 

• Battery drained
• Battery malfunction
• Charger malfunction
• Device malfunction
• Device not connected to power source
• Power supply not properly plugged into the wall 

What to try:

1. Replace battery with a fully charged battery
2. If the device still doesn’t come on, turn the power off and call MyNovocure at 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free)

Possible reasons: 

• Too much force applied to cables
• Device malfunction 

What to try:

• Reconnect the cable to its corresponding socket
• If the problem is not fixed, press the Tumour Treating Fields (TTFields) button to stop therapy and turn power off
• Call MyNovocure at 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free)

What to do:

1. Press the TTFields button to stop therapy
2. Turn power off
3. Call MyNovocure at 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free) for further instructions

Possible reasons:

• Low battery
• Loose or disconnected cable
• Blocked vents on the sides of the device
• Local trapping of heat under a transducer array (from lying on a pillow, for example)
• Poor transducer array contact, possibly due to hair growth or sweating
• Device malfunction
• Device power turned on but the TTFields therapy has not been activated

What to try: If the low battery light is on:

1. Replace the battery as described in the User Manual
2. Turn on treatment

What to try: If the error light is lit but the low battery light is not:

1. Press the TTFields button to stop the alarm
2. Wait a few seconds then press the TTFields button again
3. If the blue lights around the TTFields therapy button light up—the therapy has now been activated. If the notification signal recurs within a few minutes:
4. Turn off the power
5. Disconnect all plugs equipment to make sure nothing is loose appears to be damaged or broken. If something is—replace the damaged item before trying to power the device back
6. Reconnect all equipment in proper order and power the device back up. Verify the self-test is completed and press the TTFields button
7. Check vents on device to make sure they are not blocked
8. If lying down, move your head
9. Make sure transducer arrays are well adhered, adding tape if needed
10. If a few days have passed since you last replaced your transducer arrays, replace the arrays according to the instructions in the User Manual
11. Restart treatment
12. If alarm keeps going, turn off the device and call technical support MyNovocure at 1-855-281-9301 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free)

Possible reasons:

• Charger malfunction
• Battery malfunction
• Device malfunction

What to try:

• Replace battery with another fully charged battery
• If the problem is not fixed, call MyNovocure at 1-866-320-2006 (toll-free)