AbstractID: 12140 Title: Noninvasive monitoring of brain tumor therapy
Monitoring the efficacy of brain tumor therapy is a clinical dilemma. Results of biopsy provide the most reliable indicator but biopsy is too invasive for frequent use. The clinical standard of practice is to perform serial magnetic resonance scans and to assess changes to tumor “size” as seen on gadolinium enhanced images, with “size” measured in one, two, or three dimensions. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the three measurement methods as well as some of the effects of voxel size on the calculation. Problems inherent to the use of gadolinium enhanced images include the effect of steroids and the confounding appearance of radiation necrosis. The limitations of the approach have led multiple groups to explore alternative methods of assessing tumor activity.
Educational objectives:
1) Understand the clinical standard of practice of monitoring brain tumor therapy from T1 gadolinium enhanced images and its strengths/weaknesses.
2) Understand some of the different experimental approaches, often involving different image types, to assessing tumor activity.