Ferumoxytol- and Gadolinium-Labeled MRI in Measuring Tumors Before or After Treatment in Patients With Primary or Metastatic Brain Tumors

This phase II trial studies how well magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using contrast imaging agent ferumoxytol works in comparison to standard imaging agent gadolinium in measuring tumors in patients undergoing treatment for brain tumors or other tumors that have spread to the brain. Diagnostic procedures, such as MRI, may help find and diagnose disease and find out how far the disease has spread. MRI scans use radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The contrast imaging agent ferumoxytol consists of small iron particles taken by the blood stream to the brain and to the area of the tumor. It is highly visible on the MRI, and may help visualize the blood flow going through the tumor better than gadolinium can. Using a more sensitive and faster 7 Tesla (7T) magnet MRI in conjunction with a contrast imaging agent may provide a better way to measure tumors than the 3 Tesla (3T) magnet MRI in patients with brain tumors.