Using 18F-Flurpiridaz Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Before and After Treatment to Identify Changes in the Heart in Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation for Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
This phase IV trial studies changes in the heart using 18F-flurpiridaz positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) before and after treatment in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are undergoing treatment which combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy (chemoradiation). Chemoradiation is a treatment option for patients with stage III NSCLC; however, radiation therapy often leads to significant long term side effects in the heart. There are current radiation therapy dosing guidelines to help protect the heart, but these guidelines are based on the treatment of other types of cancer rather than lung cancer; therefore, further research is needed to help find ways to prevent or reduce heart problems. A PET/CT is an imaging technique that utilizes PET and CT in a single machine. PET is an established imaging technique that utilizes a radioactive imaging agent to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the imaging agent is used. 18F-flurpiridaz is the radioactive imaging agent used in this trial, and it helps to look at blood flow. CT creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Researchers hope using 18F-flurpiridaz PET/CT before and after treatment will help them identify changes in the heart in patients undergoing chemoradiation for stage III NSCLC, which can be used to help prevent or reduce heart problems.