Advances in Pediatric Radiation Oncology: Proton Therapy

Radiation therapy is an integral part of treatment of many pediatric cancers, but is associated with long-term side effects. Recent advances in radiation therapy, and in particular in the use of particle therapy with protons, have allowed the delivery of more effective doses of radiation with fewer late effects. The physical properties of protons allow for significantly lower doses to be given to normal tissues outside of the intended treatment volume, which provides meaningful long-term benefits across multiple disease sites, including better neurocognitive outcomes, less ototoxicity, fewer endocrine abnormalities, reduced risks of cardiovascular or pulmonary complications, and lower risks of second malignant neoplasms.