Proton Beam Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Low Grade Gliomas

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the feasibility of proton beam radiation therapy in patients with low grade gliomas. (Phase I) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess late complications from irradiation using proton beam therapy in place of conventional photon beam therapy for the treatment of low grade gliomas. (Phase II) II. To assess acute side effects from irradiation using proton beam therapy in place of conventional photon beam therapy for the treatment of low grade gliomas. (Phase II) III. To compare the dose distribution to tumor and surrounding normal structures using DVH's (Dose Volume Histograms) generated from the proton plan used to treat the patient and the photon plan generated for comparison purposes. (Phase II) IV. To monitor the rates of local control, overall and disease specific survival using proton radiotherapy. (Phase II) V. To evaluate the time to progression of low grade gliomas treated with protons. (Phase II) VI. To evaluate the incidence and severity of fatigue in low grade glioma treated with protons. (Phase II) VII. To evaluate the effect of proton beam radiation on neurocognitive outcome in patients with low grade glioma. (Phase II) VIII. To evaluate the quality of life in patients treated for low grade glioma. (Phase II) OUTLINE: Patients undergo proton beam radiation therapy for 6 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically for 5 years.