RATIONALE: New diagnostic procedures such as 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging may be more effective than MRI in evaluating side effects of cancer therapy in patients who are receiving treatment for tumors.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic trial using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and MRI of the brain in patients who are receiving cancer therapy for tumors.

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the specific patterns of brain metabolites that are associated with therapy-related neurotoxicity using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in patients with cancer.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H-NMRSI), followed by gadopentetate dimeglumine IV, followed by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to anticancer therapy, immediately after the first course of therapy, prior to subsequent courses of therapy, and/or after completion of all therapy. Patients may also undergo age-appropriate neuropsychological testing within 1 week of 1H-NMRSI and conventional-contrast MRI.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A maximum of 50 patients will be accrued for this study within 2 years.

• Unspecified Adult Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific
• Unspecified Childhood Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific

• Procedure: magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
• Radiation: gadopentetate dimeglumine

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of brain tumor OR
• Receiving high-dose systemic chemotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy (lumbar puncture or intra-Ommaya), or cranial radiotherapy OR
• Documented or suspected clinical neurotoxicity presumed to be caused by anticancer treatment
• No preexisting neurologic or genetic conditions unrelated to tumor

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Any age

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• No braces or permanent retainers
• No metallic implant, including cardiac pacemakers, neural pacemakers, shrapnel, cochlear implants, or ferrous surgical clips
• No physical or psychological factor that would preclude imaging studies
• No history of severe reaction to gadolinium

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Concurrent immunotherapy allowed

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Concurrent chemotherapy allowed

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Concurrent radiotherapy allowed

Surgery:

• Not specified