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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Assess Tongue Function after Treatment for Tongue Cancer
[Protocol 02-093]
- Full Title :
- IMPROVING THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES IN THE TONGUE CARCINOMA PATIENT: ASSESSMENT OF ADAPTATION USING FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING
- Purpose :
Surgery or radiation therapy for tongue cancer can significantly impair a patient's ability to speak or swallow. The purpose of this study is see how the brain re-learns to control the tongue in speaking and swallowing when portions of the tongue have been surgically removed, or when the tongue has been treated with radiation therapy following a diagnosis of tongue cancer.
Patients who have been treated for cancer of the tongue now re-learn speaking and swallowing through exercises taught by a speech pathologist. What is needed is information on how the brain re-learns to control speaking and swallowing, so that healthcare professionals can help these patients re-learn faster after treatment.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allow investigators to image both the brain and tongue as a person speaks and swallows. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering are conducting this study to produce "brain maps" for speaking, swallowing, and hand movements, as well as "tongue maps" of the muscles in the tongue. They will compare these maps between patients with tongue cancer and healthy people, and will also compare these maps before and after treatment.
All subjects who take part in this study will have fMRI and DTI examinations. Patients with tongue cancer will have these two exams done twice (before and after treatment). Researchers hope the results of this study will help to improve healing for patients who are being treated for cancer of the tongue.
- Eligibility :
To be eligible for this study, patients must meet several criteria, including but not limited to the following:
- Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer of the tongue or base of the tongue and be candidates for surgery or radiation therapy.
- Control subjects must be healthy adults between the ages of 21 and 75 years.
- Subjects with a history of swallowing problems (unrelated to cancer), stroke, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, or epilepsy may not be able to participate.
- All subjects must be able to undergo magnetic resonance imaging. Pregnant women and subjects with pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implanted devices may not participate.
For more information and to see if you are eligible for this study, please contact Dr. Dennis H. Kraus at 212-639-5856.
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