Proton Therapy For Pediatric Cancer: Safer & More Effective Cancer Treatment Option For Your Child
Is your child undergoing cancer treatment, and are you worried about the side effects and adverse reactions of radiation therapy?
We can understand how stressed and anxious you can be. Many parents feel scared, confused, and overwhelmed while choosing the right treatment.
Proton therapy for pediatric cancer is one of the safest and most effective options. Traditional radiation sometimes harms a child’s developing body. However, proton therapy is a more targeted way to treat cancer. It destroys cancer cells but protects the healthy ones surrounding them. Besides, your child will feel less pain, have fewer side effects, and have a healthier future.
Let’s break down how it can be one of the best treatments for your child.
Why Proton Therapy for Pediatric Cancer?
Proton therapy targets only the tumor or cancer cells. It spares the healthy cells surrounding the tumor. The proton rays stop at the tumor and don’t go beyond it. This precision makes proton therapy beneficial for pediatric cancer.
It is beneficial for those children who have brain tumors or other sensitive malignancies (cancer, tumors, cancerous growth, or benign growth).
Let’s learn about its benefits for pediatric cancer:
“In certain pediatric patients, proton therapy can dramatically reduce the risk of late complications from radiation,” says Matthew Ladra, M.D., M.P.H., director of pediatric radiation oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre at Sibley Memorial Hospital.
Minimizing radiation exposure is extremely important for children as their bodies are still developing. Though radiation can kill cancer cells effectively, excessive exposure can damage healthy cells and tissues. This can increase the chance of the risk of secondary cancer for the child later in their life.
Traditional radiation uses a beam of energy that passes through the human body. The rays go beyond the tumor, and some radiation travels out the other side. This extra radiation is called the exit dose, and it can affect healthy cells and tissues of the body.Â
Proton therapy rays stop at the tumor and do not go beyond it. That’s why it minimizes the effects of exit dose.
The ability of proton beams to target only the tumor and spare the healthy cells makes it one of the best options for children. It is more applicable in the case of a brain tumor. If a child has a tumor on one side of their brain, proton therapy will target only that side, sparing the other healthy side.Â
This accuracy is important in the brain because it can affect the child’s learning ability and memory later.Â
In the same way, proton therapy is beneficial for tumors in more sensitive areas like the spine, eyes, and muscles near reproductive organs.
Children treated with radiation are vulnerable to long-term side effects. Early studies on proton therapy have indicated that it cuts the risk of radiation-related secondary cancer in half. The radiation is limited to the tumor site, so the healthy tissues are unaffected.
Pediatric Cancer that can be Treated by Proton Therapy
The following pediatric cancers can be treated by proton therapy:Â
- Brain tumor (glioma, medulloblastoma, germ cell tumors, ependymoma)
- Eye cancers (retinoblastoma)
- Sarcomas (Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma)
- Neuroblastoma
- Spinal cord tumors
- Head and neck cancers (nasopharyngeal, parotid gland tumors)
Comparison of Proton Therapy vs. Traditional Radiation in Pediatric Cancer
Proton therapy has many advantages for children over traditional radiation therapy. PT delivers radiation with accuracy and precision that minimizes the damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. A child’s developing body needs this precision to avoid all short-term and long-term side effects and reduce the chances of second cancer.Â
Proton therapy minimizes the chances of growth abnormalities and reduced fertility, which are some of the concerns with traditional radiation therapy or photon therapy for children.Â
Children’s growing brains, spinal cords, and bones need accuracy and precision that proton therapy has but traditional radiation lacks.
What is the Age to Undergo Proton Therapy?
Children of all age groups can undergo proton therapy. But they get the most out of it when the child is young or an infant. Children under 6 years of age may need general anesthesia to keep them still during the procedure.Â
Though there is no age restriction, the doctors will weigh the risks and benefits for your child and then proceed with the therapy.
What is the Success Rate of Proton Therapy for Pediatric Cancer?
Proton therapy has shown some excellent success rates in treating pediatric cancers. Proton therapy is most beneficial when the tumor is in the child’s sensitive area. It has shown amazing effectiveness in high-risk neuroblastoma patients (children).
With the help of ever-evolving technology and skilled specialists, the success rate of proton therapy can reach 80% and above.  Â
As per NIH, the 5-year local control rate is 81.5% in children who underwent proton therapy for cancer. This means the majority of children’s cancers did not return. Metastasis-free survival at 5 years was 76.4%. It means it effectively prevented cancer spread in most children.
What is the Cost of Proton Therapy in India?
The cost of proton therapy in India can range between $45,000 and $65,000 (approximately ₹4,000,000 to ₹4,550,000). The cost is much lower than in developed countries like the US, which is around $200,000 (approx. ₹17,00,000).
Takeaway
The amount of stress and anxiety you have while choosing cancer treatment for your child. Proton therapy has a high success rate and has shown remarkable results in bringing down the side effects of radiation.Â
It protects your child’s developing body by precisely targeting the cancer cells and reducing the risk of secondary cancer.Â
One concern you may still have is the cost. But when you consider the long-term benefits, it is a viable option for pediatric cancers like brain tumors, sarcomas, and other cancers.Â
MedicoExperts can help you get proton therapy for your child within your budget. We will connect you with the top specialists and the best hospitals in this country.Â
We bridge the gap between you and the excellent health care you deserve.
Give your child the safest cancer treatment without breaking the bank!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. How long does a proton therapy session take for a child?
A. It takes 30 to 45 minutes per session. The actual procedure takes only a few minutes, but positioning the child accurately and calibrating the equipment takes more time.
Q2. Will my child need anesthesia during proton therapy, and how long?
A. Young children under 6 years may need anesthesia as they cannot stay still. They would need it for every session. Older kids can manage with distractions like videos and games.
Q3. Are there any immediate side effects after the treatment?
A. The child may feel fatigued or experience skin redness after the procedure. Doctors will prescribe medicines for both. Overall, the treatment session is painless.
Q4. Can proton therapy affect my child’s growth or puberty development?
A. Proton therapy reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues, which lowers risks to growth plates or hormone-producing areas.
Q5. Are there any foods or activities my child should avoid during treatment?
A. There are no strict dietary limits, but keeping the child’s body hydrated and eating high-protein foods helps speed up the recovery.Â
Also, avoid swimming and rough play near the treatment area.
Q6. Can proton therapy be combined with other treatments?
A. Yes, it can be combined with chemotherapy or surgery. Your oncologist will make all the recommendations and coordinate timing to minimize side effects.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7066960/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/proton-therapy-for-treating-childhood-cancer
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5718655/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5566707/
- https://www.advancesradonc.org/article/S2452-1094(23)00135-5/fulltext
- https://www.advancesradonc.org/article/S2452-1094(23)00135-5/fulltext
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11579081/#:~:text=Proton%20therapy%20is%20likely%20to,the%20head%20and%20neck%20region.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10484173/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7066960/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6588416/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7066960/
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Author Bio:
Dr. Yashashree Joshi – MBBS, MD (Philippines)
Dr. Yashashree Joshi, MD, is a globally-trained oncologist with a robust academic background and extensive experience in pioneering cancer treatments. Dedicated to patient-centered care, she continually integrates the latest advancements in oncology to provide her patients with innovative and personalized treatment plans.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
