Protocol Number: 08-C-0214
-Metastatic brain tumors occur more frequently than primary brain tumors and occur in approximately 25 percent of patients who die of cancer each year. -The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) developed three prognostic classes using a recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) of a large database. Theses classes are based on Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), age and disease status.
-The RTOG RPA classes do not include neuropsychological function as a measure of outcome. -There is no consensus of standardization of test selection to measure changes in neuropsychological functioning in this patient population. -Neuropsychological function has an important effect on quality of life and should be included when determining prognosis and treatment options for patients. -Neuropsychological functioning is important when determining the effects of treatments and for measuring outcomes in clinical trials Objectives: -To identify the neuropsychological test scores which detect significant change in neuropsychological functioning in patients receiving radiation therapy for brain metastases. -To examine the relationship between neuropsychological function and survival in patients receiving radiation therapy for brain metastases. Eligibility: -Patients age 18 years and older. -Pathologically confirmed primary malignancy with at least one intraparenchymal brain metastasis as identified on brain MRI scan with intravenous contrast. -The patient must communicate in English in order to complete the neuropsychological evaluations. Design: -This is a longitudinal study that will administer serial neuropsychological assessments to patients with brain metastases who receive radiation therapy. -Patients will undergo a battery of neuropsychological tests prior to radiotherapy (WBRT or WBRT followed by SRS), and then after radiation at one month post-baseline (2 weeks after radiation therapy), then at 2, 4, and 6 months, and then every 3 months for up to 12 months after baseline. -The test battery will involve approximately 40 minutes of direct cognitive testing and 15 minutes of questionnaires. There will be three cohorts of 20 patients each for a total of 60 patients. The three cohorts will be made up of differing histologies and will be sorted on the basis of their RTOG RPA Class.
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/20/2008
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