Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Treating Children With Progressive Low-Grade Astrocytoma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: New imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging may improve the ability to determine the growth rate of progressive astrocytoma. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging in treating children who have progressive low-grade astrocytoma.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: I. Determine if tumor growth rate can be decreased by targeting areas of increased choline activity, as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, in pediatric patients with progressive low grade astrocytoma treated with surgical resection and/or focal radiotherapy. II. Improve the quality of life without use of aggressive surgery or radiotherapy in this patient population. OUTLINE: Patients undergo magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) over 60 minutes prior to surgery and/or radiotherapy. Patients are assigned to one of two treatment arms based on tumor accessibility and may crossover to either arm. Arm I: Patients undergo conventional surgery. Arm II: Patients with inaccessible tumors undergo focal radiotherapy. Following surgery and/or radiotherapy, patients are followed every 4 months for up to 2 years with MRSI or MRI for tumor response and growth. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 24 patients will be accrued for this study over 2 years.

Official Title
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Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma: Treatment Guidance

Conditions
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Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: conventional surgery
* Procedure: magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
* Radiation: radiation therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of low grade astrocytoma in the hypothalamus, brain stem, or thalamus of 5 cm on T2 weighted scans Incomplete surgical resection Previously treated with evidence of tumor progression No hemispheric or cerebellar masses PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 12 and under Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Procedure: conventional surgery|nan|
|Procedure: magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging|nan|
|Radiation: radiation therapy|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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childhood low-grade cerebral astrocytoma, childhood low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma, recurrent childhood cerebral astrocytoma