Correlation of MR Thermal Imaging to Actual Size of Ablation During Laser Ablation Therapy

Laser ablation is designed to destroy tumor tissue with the use of fiber optics that are placed directly into the tumor to deliver laser light energy into the tissue.

In this study, tumor destruction will be checked using MRTI. MRTI is very similar to other MRI techniques, but instead of providing imaging data, MRTI will provide temperature data for cancerous areas in the body during the laser ablation process. If tumor temperature can be measured more accurately, the laser ablation process may be safer.

Laser Ablation and the MRTI Scan:

If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study, on the day you have laser ablation, you will have an intravenous (IV) line placed. You will receive sedation or general anaesthesia (drugs to make you sleep) through a needle in your vein over 1-3 hours to lessen any pain you may have during the procedure. This process will be explained to you.

After receiving the anaesthesia, the following tests and procedures will be performed:

• You will have a limited MRI.
• Your skin will be cleaned and covered with sterile towels and sheets to lower the chance of an infection.
• The doctor will use MRI scans to place a special needle (applicator) into the tumor. This applicator will be used to create heat at a high enough temperature that cells can be destroyed. Small masses may be destroyed in 1 treatment, but larger masses may require that the needle is placed several times. Each heating cycle takes less than 10 minutes.
• During laser ablation, MRTI will be used to monitor the temperature within the ablation zone. The MRTI process is very similar to regular MRI.
• Your heart rate and blood pressure will be measured during the entire procedure.
• The entire procedure may take about 1-3 hours, depending on the size and location of your tumor.

After the procedure is completed, you will be kept in the hospital for 4-6 hours for observation. You will be checked for recovery from the sedation that you received during the procedure. Once you have recovered from the procedure, you will be allowed to leave the hospital. If you have side effects from the procedure, the doctor may decide to keep you in the hospital for a longer time period for observation.

Follow-Up Visits:

After you have completed the procedure, you will return to M. D. Anderson for follow-up visits. About one (1) week after the laser ablation, you will have a physical exam and an X-ray. About one (1) month after the laser ablation, you will have a physical exam and a limited MRI to check the status of the disease.

Length of Study:

You will be considered off-study after the 1-month follow up visit.

This is an investigational study. The laser ablation procedure is an FDA-approved procedure. The devices are commercially available and can be used outside research studies. The investigational part of this study involves using MRTI to check the effect of ablation on the tumor. Up to 24 participants will be enrolled in this study. All will be enrolled at M.D. Anderson.