Status:

COMPLETED

Surgery Versus Radiosurgery to Treat Metastatic Brain Tumors

Lead Sponsor:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Conditions:

Brain Neoplasms

Neoplasm Metastasis

Eligibility:

All Genders

Phase:

PHASE4

Brief Summary

This study will compare the effectiveness of craniotomy to that of stereotactic surgery (SRS) for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors - tumors that first develop elsewhere in the body and then tr...

Detailed Description

Introduction: Metastatic brain tumors occur more frequently than primary brain tumors and occur in approximately 25% of patients who die of cancer each year. The main treatment goals for patients with...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Patients must:
  • be 21 years of age or older.
  • have a histologically confirmed primary malignancy.
  • be able to undergo an MRI scan of the brain.
  • have one to three intraparenchymal brain metastases as identified on a brain MRI scan with intravenous contrast.
  • have contrast enhancing tumor(s) that are well circumscribed and less than or equal to 4.0 cm in any dimension.
  • be appropriate for either procedure as determined by both a neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist.
  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Patients must not:
  • have tumor(s) in the midbrain, pons, or medulla - patients undergoing surgical resections in these areas are highly likely to develop significant neurological deficits or death.
  • have tumors within 10 millimeters of the optic apparatus (nerves and chiasm) or the area postrema - patients undergoing SRS to these areas are at significant risk of developing permanent blindness or intractable nausea.
  • be poor operative candidates from an anesthetic point of view secondary to other major medical illnesses - the risk of undergoing general anesthesia outweighs the potential benefit of undergoing surgical resection of a brain metastasis.
  • have a coagulopathy demonstrated by an abnormal prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, or thrombocytopenia (platelet count less that 150,000 platelets/mm3) - the risk of developing uncontrollable intra-operatively bleeding outweighs the potential benefit of undergoing surgical resection of a brain metastasis.
  • have radiographic or cerebrospinal fluid specimen evidence of widespread leptomeningeal metastasis - neither surgery nor SRS is a useful treatment modality for this condition.
  • significant psychiatric impairments which, in the opinion of the investigators, will interfere with the proper administration or completion of the protocol - self explanatory.
  • acute or untreated infections (viral, bacterial or fungal) - patients with active infections are highly likely to have spread of their infections to the brain as a result of a craniotomy.
  • be pregnant at the time of the randomized treatment - general anesthesia and surgery may subject the fetus to unacceptable risks. Also, the NIH does not offer full obstetrical services in the event that medical care to the mother and/or fetus is required. Pregnant women presenting with brain metastases will be referred to facilities offering OB/GYN services.
  • be prisoners or other institutionalized individuals - these individuals are at risk of being susceptible to undue influences to participate in a research protocol against their free will.
  • have a diagnosis of germ cell tumor, lymphoma or small cell lung cancer - these tumors are highly radiosensitive and should therefore be treated with radiation.
  • have any of the following: aneurysm clip, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto defibrillator, cochlear implant, ocular foreign body or implant \[e.g. metal shavings, retinal clips\], or insulin pump as these items would be contra-indications to undergoing an MRI scan.
  • have an allergy to iodine or shellfish or have previously had an allergic reaction to iodinated-contrast agents as this is a contra-indication to undergoing a contrast enhanced CT of the brain - a contrast enhanced CT of the brain is required for the planning of SRS.

Exclusion

    Key Trial Info

    Start Date :

    December 1 2003

    Trial Type :

    INTERVENTIONAL

    End Date :

    November 1 2005

    Estimated Enrollment :

    130 Patients enrolled

    Trial Details

    Trial ID

    NCT00075166

    Start Date

    December 1 2003

    End Date

    November 1 2005

    Last Update

    March 4 2008

    Active Locations (1)

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    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

    Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892