CINN Seeking Breast Cancer Patients for Clinical Trial
on Screening for Brain Metastases
The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuoresearch
is seeking patients with breast cancer to participate
in a clinical
trial to assess the potential value of routine screening
to detect brain metastases.
Because early diagnosis and treatment have increased
longevity in breast cancer patients, clinicians have
detected an increase in the number of cancer patients
with brain metastases, or cancer that has spread from
the breast to the brain. Research indicates that approximately
20 percent of breast cancer patients suffer from brain
metastases.
Although this disease progression is well known, many
doctors do not screen for this in their breast cancer
patients, according to Gail
Rosseau, MD, neurosurgeon at CINN and lead investigator
of the trial. The CINN clinical trial attempts to determine
if MRI screening of breast cancer patients detects tumors
before patients are symptomatic, which may improve quality
of life, she said.
Eligible patients must have an initial primary diagnosis
of high-risk and/or HER-2 positive breast cancer, defined
as stage IV disease or HER-2 positive Stage III disease.
Once enrolled, patients will receive one free Magnetic
Resonance Image (MRI) of their brain. All costs associated
with the initial brain MRI are covered by the study.
Results of the MRI will be shared with the subject.
CINN will conduct annual follow up with each patient
for five years.
To enroll in the study, call 773.250.0422. The
study is funded by The
CINN Foundation.
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