MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Feasibility Study for Brain Tumors

Inclusion Criteria: Men or women. Age between 18 and 70 years, inclusive. Able and willing to give informed consent. Subjects with (newly diagnosed or recurrent) metastatic cancer for whom surgery, radiation, or radiosurgery has not been advised by the treating physician. The targeted tumor tissue is located in the cerebral hemispheres, > 2.5 cm from the inner table of the skull. Non-targeted parts of the tumor may extend outside the treated tumor limits. Tumor(s) are clearly defined on pre-therapy contrast enhanced MRI scans. Size of the targeted portion of the tumor (i.e. prescribed Region Of Treatment) is less than 2.5 cm in diameter or 8 cm3 in volume. The non-targeted tumor tissue may exceed the targeted volume. Karnofsky rating 70-100 (See Appendix A). ASA score 1-2. Able to communicate sensations during the ExAblate MRGFUS procedure. Able to attend all study visits (i.e. life expectancy of at least 3 months). At least 14 days passed since last brain surgery, or intracranial radiation therapy/radiosurgery Exclusion Criteria: The subject presents with: - Symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure (e.g., headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and papaedema). - Unstable hemodynamic status including: i. Documented myocardial infarction within six months of enrollment. ii.Symptomatic coronary artery stenosis. iii. Congestive heart disease requiring medication. iv. Anti-arrhythmic drug medication. v. Cardiac pacemaker. vi. Severe hypertension (diastolic BP > 100 on medication). Anti-coagulant therapy, on medications known to increase risk of hemorrhage, (e.g.: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), statins TIA or stroke in the last 1 month Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Immunosuppression (corticosteroids to prevent brain edema are permitted) Known sensitivity to gadolinium-DTPA Contraindications to MRI such as non-MRI-compatible implanted devices Large subjects not fitting comfortably into the MRI scanner Difficulty laying supine and still for up to 4 hours in the MRI unit or claustrophobia Untreated, uncontrolled Sleep apnea Positive pregnancy test (for pre-menopausal women) Known life-threatening systemic disease More than 3 metastatic tumors History of abnormal bleeding and coagulopathy Use of Avastin in the preceding two weeks or planned use in the forthcoming two weeks and VEGF inhibitors within + 30 days of treatment Patients with a history of uncontrolled seizures or who are not on anti seizure medication (e.g., Phenytoin 100 mg PO t.i.d. or Keppra 500 mg po bid) before the procedure