Proton Radiation for Lymphoma Involving Mediastinum

Overview

This research study is a Pilot Study. Pilot studies are conducted to see if it is practical to do this type of research on a larger scale in the future. The pilot part of this study is to assess the possibility of using proton radiation to treat lymphomas. Proton radiation is used for many other types of malignancies, but its use for the treatment of lymphoma has been limited. The treatment is still being studied as research doctors are trying to find out more about its use in the treatment of different types of lymphoma. Proton beam radiation therapy is an FDA approved radiation delivery system. Patients are being asked to participate in this research study if they have lymphoma in the center of their chest, near their heart. Conventional radiation therapy with photons is used as standard treatment for many patients with lymphoma. In this research study investigators are looking at another type of radiation called proton radiation, which is known to spare surrounding tissue and organs from radiation. Proton radiation delivers radiation to the area requiring radiation but delivers no dose beyond the region requiring treatment. This may reduce side effects that patients would normally experience with conventional radiation therapy or other means of delivering proton radiation therapy. In this research study, investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of using proton radiation delivered to reduce side effects associated with radiation treatment.

If a person agrees to participate in this research study, they will be asked to undergo some screening tests or procedures to confirm eligibility. Many of these tests and procedures are likely to be part of regular cancer care and may be done even if it turns out that a patient does not take part in the research study. If a patient has had some of these tests or procedures recently, they may or may not have to be repeated. These tests and procedures include: a medical history, performance status, physical examination, assessment of tumor, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, pulmonary (lung) function tests and blood tests. If these tests show that a patient is eligible to participate in the research study, they will begin the study treatment. If a patient does not meet the eligibility criteria, they will not be able to participate in the research study. Proton radiation will be delivered daily for 2 to 5 weeks, depending on the dose prescribed by your physician. Treatment is delivered (Monday-Friday) for 5 days (no weekends or holidays). Each treatment will require that you lie on a table for 30 to 45 minutes. Participants will receive radiation therapy as an outpatient at Massachusetts General Hospital. During radiation therapy, they will have the following weekly assessments and procedures: physical exam, assess for any side effects, blood tests for cardiac markers. Study participants will be asked to return for a follow up visit 6-12 weeks after their last dose of radiation therapy. During this visit the following tests and procedures will be done: PET/CT scan, physical exam, assess for side effects and blood tests for cardiac markers. Participants will also be asked to return for a follow-up visit at 6 months, 12 months and annually for five years post radiation. Keeping in touch with study participants and checking on their condition helps investigators look at the long-term effects of the research study. At these visits, the following tests and procedures will be done: physical exam, assess for any side effects, ECG, ECHO, pulmonary tests, PET/CT scan, routine blood tests and blood tests for cardiac markers (at 6 months and 1 years only).