Simulation and optimization in Tumor-Treating Fields therapy: Modeling approaches and electrode positioning

Accurate simulation of Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields) is essential for personalized therapy, as it enables precise prediction of electric field distribution based on patient-specific tumor location and head anatomy. Theoretical models for Tumor-treating fields are compared and applied to enhance their efficacy by optimizing electrode positions.

The method for placing electrodes on a true human model is introduced. The complete electrode model is applied for tumor-treating fields simulation for the first time in this paper. The finite element solution for the complete electrode model, the gap model, and a complex permittivity model are derived. The positions of electrodes for tumor-treating fields are optimized to achieve better treatment efficacy.

Comparisons among the numerical results obtained from the complete electrode model, the gap model and the complex permittivity model are carried out. The influence of contact impedance is studied based on the complete electrode model. Position of electrodes are optimized based on the complete electrode model.

Numerical investigations show that the complete electrode model can more accurately simulate the tumor-treating fields. The gap model can better approximate the complete electrode model, and its numerical implementation is easier. The complex permittivity model generates results with higher errors, which may lead to incorrect voltages or currents being applied to the electrodes. Optimization of electrode's positions based on the complete electrode model produces an increase more than 31% in the treatment efficacy. This indicates that a personalized electrode position based on patient's tumor position and skull shape will provide better treatment.