Benefits of proton therapy for childhood cancer
Proton Therapy for Childhood Cancers
Proton therapy is an excellent treatment option for children, adolescents and young adults with cancerous and non-cancerous tumors that can be treated with traditional radiation. Proton therapy may limit the radiation exposure to healthy, growing tissue in pediatric cancer patients. Because protons can be precisely controlled, pediatric proton therapy is ideal for tumors located near growing tissues in the spinal cord and brain, eyes, ears or mouth.
Children with tumors in the brain, head, neck, spinal cord, heart, lungs and other areas that are sensitive to radiation can benefit from treatment with proton therapy because physicians can target treatment directly to the tumor area. This limits the possible damage to children whose bodies are still developing.
Types of childhood cancer that may be treated with proton therapy include:
- Astrocytoma
- Brain tumors
- Choriocarcinoma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Ependymoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Glioblastoma
- Glioma
- Intracranial germ cell tumors (germinoma)
- Optic pathway/hypothalamic glioma
- Medulloblastoma
- Meningioma
- Neuroblastoma
- Optic Nerve Tumors
- Retinoblastoma
- Primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor (PNET)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Teratoma
Leaders in research and treatment of childhood cancer
At the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center, we are world leaders in the research and treatment of childhood cancer with proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation precisely targets tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Our pediatric team includes physicians, nurses, radiation therapists and other cancer experts that specializes in treating children with cancer. From its inception, the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center was designed with children and their families in mind – from our child-friendly waiting and play areas to our special, early appointment times for many of our young patients.
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Benefits of proton therapy for children
Pencil beam proton therapy
Dedicated pediatric team
Protocols for proton therapy
Expertise and convenience in a family-friendly setting
Medulloblastoma cancer survivor Owen Langston
"Owen’s age was a huge factor in determining what type of radiation we wanted to use. Proton therapy was so focused that it was the best solution to prevent long-term side effects."
How proton therapy spared my baby of paralysis
"Always remember that treatment will end, and life does get better."
Choosing targeted radiation therapy at MD Anderson
"Communication with your child during treatment is key," says Ewing’s sarcoma caregiver Christine Pena.
Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer survivor Sawyer Hack
“Proton therapy was able to target the tumor in Sawyer’s jaw and save sensitive tissue such as his eyes and ears.”
Medulloblastoma cancer survivor Owen Langston
"Owen’s age was a huge factor in determining what type of radiation we wanted to use. Proton therapy was so focused that it was the best solution to prevent long-term side effects."
How proton therapy spared my baby of paralysis
"Always remember that treatment will end, and life does get better."