The objective of this study is to evaluate patients with tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) for eligibility in the National Cancer Institute's research studies. These patients will undergo a series of procedures, usually including a complete medical history and physical examination; laboratory testing of blood, CSF, urine, bone marrow, or other samples; an evaluation of tumor location and size by x-rays, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, or nuclear medicine scans; lumbar puncture; electrocardiogram and echocardiogram; and procedures to evaluate the function of specific organs. A bone marrow biopsy is occasionally performed. Research samples may also be collected and stored to avoid having to do a painful test more than once. Tissue specimens collected during this process may be stored and used in future studies.

Patients of both genders, any age, and all racial and ethnic groups with tumors of the CNS or a history of a CNS tumor are eligible. Up to 100 people are expected to participate.

The physician will discuss the results of these procedures with the patient and his or her family. On the basis of the eligibility screening and the patient's wishes, the patient may then be enrolled in a primary research protocol.

Condition
Central Nervous System Neoplasms

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  500

Patients with tumors of the central nervous system who are being evaluated by the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) for National Cancer Institute (NCI) primary research protocols will be entered onto this screening protocol for eligibility screening. The screening tests and procedures that are required by the primary research protocols will be conducted in order to establish eligibility for these protocols. These procedures may include, but are not limited to, laboratory tests on blood, CSF, urine, or other specimens, and radiographic and nuclear medicine studies, which may require the administration of contrast or a radioisotopic tracer. In some cases, specific research samples required for the primary research protocol may be collected during the screening process in order to prevent us from having to subject the patient to a painful procedure on multiple occasions (e.g., bone marrow aspirations). These research specimens will be discarded, if the patient is not eligible for or elects not to enroll on the primary research protocol.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Patients with tumors of the CNS or a history of a CNS tumor who are being evaluated for protocols within the National Cancer Institute.
All patients or their legal guardians (if the patient is less than 18 years of age) must sign a document of informed consent indicating their understanding of the research nature and risks of the procedures that will be performed to assess eligibility for primary research protocols. When appropriate, pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) will be included in all discussions in order to obtain verbal assent.
A Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) will be offered to all patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age who have a brain tumor or meningeal tumor involvement.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Maryland
      National Cancer Institute (NCI), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  020186; 02-C-0186
Record last reviewed:  January 28, 2005
Last Updated:  February 3, 2005
Record first received:  May 2, 2002
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00035373
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08