Mesothelioma Awareness Find a Location Find a Doctor Cancer Care Cancer Center Opening Your Cancer Care Team Your First Visit Breast Cancer Dearborn Breast Care Center Cancer Care Cancer Care Retail Pharmacy Cancer Treatments Paxman Scalp Cooling System Mesothelioma Treatment Radiation Therapy Center for Precision Medicine and Genomic Health BRCA Testing Hereditary Cancer Program Proactive Genetic Screening Clinical Research Integrative Oncology Palliative Care Patient Testimonials Resources Clinical & Support Services Frequent Numbers Specialty Cancer Care Clinics Cardio-Oncology Neuro-oncology Tristate Gynecological Oncology Tobacco Cessation E-cigarette Education Nicotine Medication Nicotine Replacement Tobacco Cessation Therapy Saving on Medication Success Stories Tobacco Cessation Programs Tobacco Cessation Resources New, Innovative Treatment for Mesothelioma St. Elizabeth Healthcare is the first in Kentucky and the only health system in the region to offer a new wearable, non-invasive treatment for mesothelioma. Optune Lua is a portable device that delivers low-grade electrical fields to the cancerous tumors to slow the growth of cancer cells. Surgery and chemotherapy are standard treatments for mesothelioma. Optune Lua is a new treatment that slows progression and improves the quality of life for people living with mesothelioma. It is the first FDA-approved treatment for mesothelioma in 15 years. Make an appointment For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at (859) 301-4000 What is mesothelioma? Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Once diagnosed, most patients only live for 12-18 months. Mesothelioma is typically caused by exposure to asbestos. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma for the absolute majority of patients. Symptoms from asbestos exposure can take years to develop, making early detection of mesothelioma difficult. Symptoms of mesothelioma include: Chest or abdominal pain Cough Shortness of breath How does Optune Lua work? The Optune Lua device is used with chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The electrical fields are shown to extend the effect that chemotherapy has on treating mesothelioma. The device is portable and delivers wave-like electric impulses to the cancer in and around the lungs. These electric fields are created by adhering large pads on the skin on the front and back of your body, near the lungs. The pads are then connected to a portable battery. The Optune Lua is typically worn for 18 hours a day and can be worn while asleep. The electrical waves are low-grade and are not strong enough to hurt you, but they are strong enough to slow or stop cancer cells from growing. Optune Lua is not a medicine and does not enter the bloodstream. The most common side effect is skin irritation. Benefits of Optune Lua for treatment of mesothelioma In clinical studies, the Optune Lua in combination with chemotherapy, extended life by 50%, and 97% saw their mesothelioma shrink or stop growing. Currently, St. Elizabeth Healthcare only uses the Optune Lua to treat mesothelioma. In the future and after more clinical studies, the use of low-grade electrical fields may be used to treat other forms of cancer.