Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (RT) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

MRI Assessment of Post-Radiation Change Following Stereotactic Body RT for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study

NSCLC is the leading cause of cancer mortality in North America, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths. The standard treatment for patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgical resection of the involved lobe/lung. However, many patients are unable to undergo such a major surgery due to medical illness, and an emerging standard-of-care for these patients stereotactic-body radiation therapy (SBRT).

SBRT involves highly precise delivery of very high dose Radiotherapy (RT) over a very few fractions (hypofractionation) to accurately describe, size-restricted malignant targets in which motion has been accounted for during the delivery process. SBRT administration achieves avoidance of normal tissue exposure to radiation during the planning process, by providing for sharp fall-off dose gradients outside the target.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must have been treated at University of Health Network with SBRT for an early-stage NSCLC (T1N0M0; T2N0M0; or T3N0M0 chest wall primary tumours only).
• On follow-up thoracic CT scans, patients must have changes in the previously targeted lung parenchyma that fit into one of the following three patterns: - Changes that on CT and clinical grounds are felt to be related to fibrosis
• Changes that on CT and clinical grounds are suspicious for recurrence
• Equivocal changes (uncertain whether the changes represent fibrosis or recurrence)
• Must be greater than 18 years in age
• Must be able to attend regular follow-up including radiologic investigations and clinical visits
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Standard contraindications to MRI study (e.g. ferromagnetic prosthesis, pacemaker/implanted defibrillator, metallic implant in eye, severe claustrophobia, etc…)
• Contraindications to Gadolinium contrast-agent. May include a history of allergic reaction to following previous administration of gadolinium or poor renal function (calculated creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min).
• Patients with surgical resection of the treated portion of lung following their SBRT, although surgical resection of other parts of the lung is allowed.