low accrual

RATIONALE: Stereotactic body radiation therapy may be able to send x-rays directly to the tumor and cause less damage to normal tissue. Abdominal compression methods that hold the body and the tumor from moving during treatment may permit radiation therapy to kill more tumor cells. This study is looking at the comfort level of two abdominal compression methods in patients with lung tumors undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the comfort level of two abdominal compression methods used to hold patients still while undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung tumors.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To evaluate comfort associated with the existing screw-based abdominal compression device and the new automated abdominal compression device in patients with lung tumors undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Secondary

• To evaluate tumor motion in patients using these devices.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Patients undergo fluoroscopic assessment of tumor motion with a screw-based abdominal compression device. Patients then undergo non-contrast 4D-CT imaging with the screw-based abdominal compression device followed by contrast 4D-CT imaging with an automated abdominal compression device.

Immediately after stereotactic body radiotherapy simulation, patients complete a questionnaire to assess the overall level of comfort of each abdominal-compression device.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• All lung patients from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Richardson Regional Cancer Center scheduled to receive stereotactic body radiotherapy simulation
• Must have initial pre-compression lung tumor motions with respiration > 1 cm

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Negative pregnancy test

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Concurrent participation in other protocols allowed