Ultrasound Spectroscopy as Early Indicators of Radiation Treatment Response in Prostate, Rectum and Head & Neck Cancers

The purpose of the study is to test the hypothesis that ultrasound imaging and spectroscopy may be used as a predictive marker of advanced tumour response to radiotherapy. The main goal is to select the best ultrasound ultrasound spectroscopy parameter and vascular distribution index to use as an early predictor of pathological complete or partial response as a primary endpoint. Tumour size decrease as a secondary endpoint. Other secondary endpoints will include measuring changes in blood vessel distribution with treatment and changes in ultrasound parameters will be correlated with two and five year survival rates. Finally, we will investigate if prostate masses can be characterized (benign vs. malignant) using ultrasound backscatter parameters.