Proton Radiotherapy: AGentler Form of

Radiation Treatment

DR . ALLEN CHERER DRALLENCHERER .NET

Studies in Pediatric patients with

brain tumors point to the efficacy of

a new way of delivering radiation

treatment which may result in

improved long term outcomes for

children.  Although not widely

available, the new treatment, proton

radiotherapy, focuses the radiation

dose on the target area alone.

Standard photon (X-ray) radiation

has the troublesome effect of

exposing surrounding healthy tissues

and organs to the radiation as well.

The new treatment has the distinct

advantage of  getting  to “hard to get

to” tumors.

A study completed at the Massachusetts  General  Hospital

describes the results in a Pediatric patient population with

medulloblastoma  treated with the usual combination of

surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.  Medulloblastoma is a

fast-growing, high grade tumor always located in the

cerebellum of the brain. It is a relatively rare tumor with more

than 70% being diagnosed in children under 10 years of age.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

Like many tumors, its exact cause is unknown.  In  the study, the newer form

of targeted radiation therapy was used and compared with the more

conventional  (photon) radiation. The results, as pointed out by Dr. Torunn

Yock, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School,

showed comparable survival and tumor recurrence risks as well as long term

hormone deficits between the two groups but far fewer side effects related  to

hearing, cognition, and other organ systems.

CONCLUSION

The results are exciting in that they demonstrate the efficacy and safety

of proton radiotherapy with decreased long term side effects, thus

improving the quality of life in these young survivors.