Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are looking for more effective ways to deliver radiation therapy to pediatric tumors of the bone and soft tissues. The goal of the study is to improve local control of musculoskeletal tumors with image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) while minimizing radiation related side effects. IGRT uses computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) images to precisely define tumor location and to carefully plan radiation treatment. This approach allows doctors to deliver highly conformal radiation therapy to the tumor while protecting nearby healthy normal tissues.
Who can participate
Age range
25 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age less than or equal to 25 years (new enrollments only). No age limit on participants who reconsent or reenroll.
* Musculoskeletal tumor involving the primary site of origin requiring definitive, pre-operative or post-operative irradiation to that primary site.
* No prior therapeutic irradiation at the primary site except for emergent radiation to the primary site lasting 1 week or less (5 treatment days) that can be dosimetrically accounted for in the analysis.
* Negative serum or urine beta-HCG for females of child bearing age.
* Patients will be stratified into 2 groups for evaluation of secondary objective endpoints based on the absence or presence of metastatic disease.
* Patients may enter this study in specific clinical situations often defined by multimodality protocols that include the use of radiation therapy, including irradiation alone or combined with surgery (following surgical resection that may be macroscopically complete or incomplete, with positive or negative histologic margins) and/or chemotherapy (following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or combined with post-irradiation adjuvant chemotherapy).Patients requiring regional nodal irradiation and/or metastatic site irradiation are allowed as long as the primary site requires radiation.Patients with recurrent tumors or second malignant neoplasms are allowed on this study if the current primary tumor site requiring irradiation has not previously been irradiated. The treatment plan detailed in…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Cumulative Incidence of Local Failures at 5 Years in Patients With Image Guided Radiation Therapy
Timeframe: 5-years follow-up after completion of therapy.
2
Cumulative Incidence of Local Failures at 10 Years in Patients With Image Guided Radiation Therapy
Timeframe: 10- years follow-up after completion of therapy