Screening Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer Managed With First/Second Line Chemotherapy or Inflammatory Breast Cancer Managed With Definitive Intent: A Prospective Study
This research study is studying the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to screen for brain metastases (spread of the breast cancer to the brain).
• Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer with pathologic assessment of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. If subtype has changed over the course of a patient's disease, the treating clinician and/or study PI is responsible for selecting the subtype that most likely reflects the preponderance of oncologic disease at the time of enrollment.
• Participants must have radiographic evidence of extracranial, distant metastases or unresectable, locally recurrent breast cancer and be initiating (within 8 weeks of registration) first-line or second-line chemotherapy for their metastatic/recurrent disease OR inflammatory breast cancer being managed with curative intent within six months of diagnosis.
• Participants must be age 18 years or older.
• Participants must have a life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks.
• Participants must be willing to undergo study procedures.
• The effects of gadolinium / other magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based contrast agents on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
• Participants must possess the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.