Detection of Vascular and Neuronal Changes Following Proton and/or Photon Radiotherapy in Patients Receiving Skull Base and/or Brain Radiation
The purpose of this study is to: estimate the degree of memory loss, if any following radiotherapy to the base of skull or brain as measured by standard neurocognitive battery testing. describe radiotherapy dose-related changes in vascular perfusion, in spectroscopic parameters of neuronal injury and changes in the degree and directionality of tissue water diffusivity (diffusion tensor imaging) as a measure of white axonal injury. to relate these imaging characteristics to the degree of memory loss.
• Study subjects capable of providing informed consent.
• Study subjects with an ECOG performance status of 0-1.
• Study subjects aged 18 or greater.
• Study subjects with a histological diagnosis of a malignancy of the paranasal sinuses or the nasopharynx requiring either definitive or post-operative radiation to a minimum prescribed dose of 60 Gy.
• Study subjects deemed capable of undergoing standard CT simulation and radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery including the capacity to comply with standard immobilization devices to the head and nexk for daily irradiation.
• Study subjects without any evidence of distant metastasis.
• Study subjects with an estimated life expectancy of at least 1 year.
• Study subjects who are able to receive a standard MRI study and deemed capable of complying with the immobilization needs.
• Female study subjects of reproductive potential with a negative pregnancy test prior to each scheduled MRI study.
• Histological confirmed diagnosis of low grade glioma of the CNS
• WHO grade II
• Patients must have a Karnofsky Performance Status of greater than or equal to 60.
• Age greater than or equal to 18.
• Patients must be able to provide informed consent.
• Adequate bone marrow function:WBC greater than or equal to 4000/mm3, platelets greater than or equal to 100,000 mm3.
• Women of child-bearing potential as long as she agrees to use a recognized method of birth control (e.g. oral contraceptive, IUD, condoms, or other barrier methods, etc.). Hysterectomy or meopause must be clinically documented.
• Study subjects deemed capable of undergoing standard CT simulation and radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery including the capacity to comply with standard immobilization devices to the brain for daily irradiation.