Imaging Acquisition and Analysis Methods for Optimization of MRI Radiation Oncology Simulation and Response Assessment

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently one of the standard diagnostic imaging methods used to diagnose tumor stage before treatment in the Radiation Oncology Department. It is also used to check responses to radiation after treatment. However, MRI isn't traditionally used in planning for radiation treatment or in checking treated tumor and tissue changes during radiation treatment. The goal is to find out the possible benefits of MRI imaging techniques in these settings of radiation treatment. The research aims are to study the possibility of using devices with new abilities such as the MR-Linac. The MR-Linac combines a radiation treatment machine with a diagnostic MRI scanner. This device will improve the quality of MRI-guided radiation treatment. The MR-Linac has functions that are currently not available in other combined imaging and radiation delivery devices. The MR-Linac does not provide additional imaging capabilities that are not currently available in other imaging devices. Participating in this study would NOT change the current treatment plans, this will allow the investigators to use the MRI methods in research and future patient care.

The purpose of this protocol is to demonstrate proof of concept and feasibility of new MRI or CT hardware, pulse sequences and data analysis software to plan and adapt radiotherapy treatment and to assess tumor response to radiotherapy (only FDA approved hardware are allowed in this study). Efforts to develop, modify and evaluate new or existing MR or CT imaging techniques must be a continuous practice with the goal of enhancing the use of MRI or CT during radiation therapy. The investigators therefore anticipate an ongoing need for such a protocol and believe the ability to perform such studies is critical to the translation of new imaging technologies from concept to routine clinical use. Under this protocol, modifications to the following items may be tested: pulse sequence programs, radiofrequency coils, reconstruction and processing software, other MR or CT system hardware and analysis software. A brief description of each of these items is described below. The potential risks associated with modifying each of these items, and the measures that will be taken to minimize these risks are described in subsequent sections.