Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Medulloblastoma and Pineoblastoma: An Assessment of Acute Toxicity and Long Term Neurocognitive, Neuroendocrine and Ototoxicity Outcomes
There are two types of external radiation treatments (proton beam and photon beam). As part of the participant's treatment, they will receive radiation to the entire central nervous system (CNS); this is known as craniospinal irradiation (CSI). In the past, photon radiation therapy has been used for CSI. In this study we will be examining the effects of proton beam radiation therapy. Studies have suggested that this kind of radiation can cause less damage to normal tissue than photon radiation therapy. The physical characteristics of proton beam radiation let the doctor safely deliver the amount of radiation delivered to the tumor that is normally delivered through standard therapy but spare more normal tissue in the process.
• Participants must have undergone biopsy or attempted surgical resection and must have histologically confirmed medulloblastoma or pineoblastoma.
• Participants may have had a gross total resection, sub-total resection or biopsy only.
• For patients with no prior chemotherapy, treatment must start within 35 days of definitive surgery or as indicated if enrolled on therapeutic study
• Age range between 3 and 25 at the time of enrollment
• Life expectancy of greater than 3 months
• Blood laboratory values as outlined in the protocol
• Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation