• compare the results of the experimental tests with the results provided by the standard diagnostic work-up
  

Eligible patients will have a cancer that is known to spread to other areas of the body (metastasize). This study will look at the best way to see if and where the cancer has spread (metastatic disease). The standard tests (conventional imaging tests) that are used to determine the extent and spread of these diseases may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), bone scanning, gallium scanning, and/or metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scanning. The standard tests that are required will depend on the specific disease. The main purpose of this research study is to see if a new imaging test, called whole-body fast MRI, can detect disease as accurately as the standard tests. Whole-body fast MRI is a diagnostic test that uses a large magnet to take pictures of the body with rapid imaging times. Up to now, it has not been used routinely in the evaluation of children with cancer. The results of whole-body fast MRI will be compared with that of conventional imaging for detecting distant metastases.

In addition to studying whole-body fast MRI; the study doctors would also like to look at a second imaging study called positron emissions tomography (PET). A PET scan is a specialized imaging test that uses radiation to locate areas of disease. The PET scan portion of this study is completely optional.