Proton Radiation for Low Grade Gliomas
RATIONALE: Specialized radiation therapy, such as proton beam radiation therapy, that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the best way to give proton beam radiation therapy and to see how well it works in treating patients with low grade gliomas.
• Patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of low grade glioma of the CNS
• Patients with WHO grade II; may be symptomatic; including patients who are being followed and have radiographic expression
• Patients must have a Karnofsky Performance Status of >= 60
• Patients must be able to provide informed consent
• Patients must have adequate bone marrow function:
• WBC >= 4000/mm^3
• platelets >= 100,000 mm^3
• 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 menopause must be clinically documented