PET-CT vs. Integrated MR-PET Scanning of GYN Cancers
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01779128 |
Recruitment Status
: Unknown
Verified January 2013 by Michael J. Birrer,M.D.,Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital.
Recruitment status was: Not yet recruiting
First Posted
: January 30, 2013
Last Update Posted
: January 30, 2013
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This research study is an imaging pilot study. Imaging pilot studies explore the potential benefit of one imaging approach compared to another clinically accepted approach. Such studies serve to understand how feasible an approach may be and whether it is worth pursuing in formal and larger clinical trials. Researchers of this study believe that simultaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging will offer additional imaging information to improve cancer detection.
MRI and PET are two tests that allow us to take pictures of the body and "look inside" the body without surgery. The MRI scanner uses a powerful magnet to make a picture of the body. The PET scanner makes pictures by using special dyes that "light up" inside the body. PET scans use radiation, similar to the radiation in a standard x-ray. We routinely use both tests to diagnose various types of cancer. As of now, the combination of PET and computed tomography (CT) has been considered a standard of care imaging approach for various cancers.
Until recently, MRI and PET tests were done separately. Now there is a new type of test called MR-PET that combines both MRI and PET test results. This scanner uses both MRI and PET tests at the same time. We would like to find out if the MR-PET scanner can produce better and clearer images (pictures) of tumors and information about them inside of the body.
This new MR-PET scanner is approved by the US FDA. However, some of the computer programs that tell the machine how to acquire and combine the test results are new and experimental. Experimental means that some of the computer programs are not approved by the FDA. This means that they can only be used in research studies. The MR-PET scanner has been previously used in a few human participants.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Cervical Cancer Endometrial Cancer Ovarian Cancer | Procedure: PET-CT Procedure: MR-PET | Early Phase 1 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 100 participants |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Diagnostic |
Official Title: | Comparing Preoperative PET-CT With Integrated MR-PET Scanning of Gynecologic Cancers |
Study Start Date : | March 2013 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | March 2015 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Experimental Arm
PET/CT Scan MR-PET Scan
|
Procedure: PET-CT Procedure: MR-PET |
- Evaluate Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity of Preoperative MR/PET vs. PET/CT [ Time Frame: 2 years ]To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of preoperative MR/PET versus PET/CT imaging in identifying metastases to pelvic lymph nodes, abdominal lymph nodes, or beyond in participants with locoregionally advanced cervical carcinoma or high-risk endometrial cancer.
- Evaluate Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity of Preoperative MR/PET vs. FDG-PET/CT [ Time Frame: 2 years ]To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of preoperative MR/PET versus FDG-PET/CT imaging in identifying contralateral ovary involvement, metastases to peritoneum and distinguishing benign (e.g., endometriosis) from malignant lesions in all participants with ovarian cancer
- Evaluate Additive Diagnostic Value of MRI Fusion [ Time Frame: 2 years ]To evaluate the additive diagnostic value of MRI fusion (MR/PET) compared with PET scanning alone in the identification of metastases to pelvic (obturator, external iliac), abdomen (common iliac, para-aortic, and para-caval), and combined (all regions) lymph nodes in participants with locoregionally advanced cervical carcinoma, high-risk endometrial carcinoma or ovarian carcinoma.
- Determine Percentage of Participants in Whom MR/PET (relative to PET/CT) Detects Biopsy Proven Disease [ Time Frame: 2 years ]To determine the percentage of participants with locoregionally advanced cervical carcinoma, high-risk endometrial cancer, or ovarian carcinoma in whom MR/PET (relative to PET/CT) detects biopsy proven disease outside the abdominal or pelvic lymph nodes.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Senior) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically confirmed cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer
- Able to undergo extra-peritoneal or laparoscopic lymph node sampling
- Suitable candidate for surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous pelvic or abdominal lymphadenectomy
- Evidence of prior pelvic radiation therapy
- Renal dysfunction
- Electrical implants
- Ferromagnetic implants
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Pre-existing medical conditions or claustrophobic reactions or any greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest as determined by treating oncologist
- Unable to lie comfortably on a bed inside the scanner for 60 minutes as assessed by physical examination and medical history
- Outside circumstances that interfere with the completion of the imaging studies or required follow-up

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01779128
Contact: Michael Birrer, MD, PhD | 6177261941 | mbirrer@partners.org |
United States, Massachusetts | |
Massachusetts General Hospital | Not yet recruiting |
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115 | |
Contact: Michael Birrer, MD, PhD 617-726-1941 mbirrer@partners.org | |
Principal Investigator: Michael Birrer, MD, PhD |
Principal Investigator: | Michael Birrer, MD, PhD | Massachusetts General Hospital |
Responsible Party: | Michael J. Birrer,M.D.,Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01779128 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
12-233 |
First Posted: | January 30, 2013 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | January 30, 2013 |
Last Verified: | January 2013 |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Endometrial Neoplasms Uterine Neoplasms Genital Neoplasms, Female Urogenital Neoplasms |
Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms Uterine Cervical Diseases Uterine Diseases Genital Diseases, Female |