Neurocognitive Impact and Dose-Effect Relationship of Hippocampal Avoidance During Whole Brain Radiotherapy Plus Simultaneous Integrated Boost - A Prospective Follow-up Study

Launched by CHANG GUNG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL · Jul 18, 2017

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a specific type of radiation therapy called whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) that aims to help patients with brain metastases, which are cancer cells that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The focus is on a technique that tries to protect an important part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning, while still effectively treating the cancer. The researchers want to see if this approach can prevent cognitive decline, or memory problems, that can sometimes happen after radiation treatment. They will also look at how the amount of radiation delivered to the hippocampus relates to any changes in memory and thinking skills over time.

To participate in this study, patients should have a diagnosis of cancer that has spread to the brain (with no more than three tumors) and should be in fair to good health. Participants will undergo brain scans and memory tests before starting treatment, which will be delivered in a specific way to ensure the hippocampus is spared as much as possible. The main goal is to see how well this new technique works in preserving brain function while effectively controlling the cancer. If you or someone you know might be eligible and is interested, this trial is currently recruiting participants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with pathologically-confirmed non-hematopoietic malignancy who are referred for therapeutic or prophylactic WBRT
• • Good performance status no worse than Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) of 2 or a general status of Karnofsky Score (KPS) at least 70 %
• • The number and extent of brain metastatic lesions should be no more than three metastatic foci with a greatest diameter no more than 3 cm
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with MRI-identified metastasis within 5 mm perihippocampally
• • Patients with metastasis involving the brain stem
• • Clinical suspicion of leptomeningeal spreading
• • Patients with a solitary brain metastatic lesion which had been totally removed
• • History of prior radiotherapy including stereotactic radiosurgery delivered to brain/head region for any reasons