The precision of proton therapy gives physicians the best tools to treat the pediatric patient with the lowest dose of radiation needed to cure the cancer while avoiding radiation exposure for the maximum amount of healthy tissue.
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous regions that begin in any part of the body.
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous regions that begin in any part of the body. Representing about 15 percent of all pediatric cancers, about 60 percent of sarcomas begin in an arm or leg, 30 percent in the abdomen and 10 in the head or neck.
Neuroblastomas are tumors that form in the nervous system of young children, specifically in the areas outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Lymphomas are cancers of the immune system, located in the lymph nodes. The majority of individuals treated with traditional radiation therapy – usually children and young adults – are cured.
Proton therapy offers many advantages when treating cancers in children, adolescents and young adults. In fact, the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) ranks using proton therapy to treat solid tumors in pediatric patients with the highest importance (ASTRO Model Policy, 2014).
Because children and adolescents are growing, their tissue is more sensitive to radiation and its potential for negative effects.
A brain tumor is the result of uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain. Primary tumors start and grow in the brain, while secondary tumors form because a tumor located in another part of the body has metastasized.
Neurological Exams are Used for Diagnosis
Neurological exams include checking vision, hearing, balance, coordination and reflexes. These tests provide clues about the area of the brain impacted by a tumor.
Various Factors Impact Classification
Tumor classification is dictated by various factors, including the exact site of a tumor, the type of tissue involved and whether the tumor is cancerous.
When treating patients battling childhood cancer, reduction of negative side effects is a primary concern. Because of its precision, proton therapy is one of the best treatment options available for treating pediatric cancer. It’s effective, results in a reduction of damage to the organs and tissues surrounding the affected area and minimizes negative side effects, including developmental delays, hearing loss, damage to salivary glands and hormone deficiencies.
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous regions that begin in any part of the body. Representing about 15 percent of all pediatric cancers, about 60 percent of sarcomas begin in an arm or leg, 30 percent in the abdomen and 10 in the head or neck.
An eye cancer that most commonly affects children, retinoblastoma tends to occur before the age of two and is most often the result of a gene mutation that has been inherited. If the tumor is localized, the chance of a cure is incredibly high, with more than 90 percent of cases cured.
The Retina Sends Signals to the Brain
Retinoblastoma begins in the retina, the sensitive lining on the inside of the eye that senses light.
Children Most Commonly Impacted
Adults are rarely diagnosed with retinoblastoma. It is the most common form of eye cancer in children.
Neuroblastomas are tumors that form in the nervous system of young children, specifically in the areas outside of the brain and spinal cord. They often appear in the chest or abdomen, occurring most often in children 5 and younger, the genetic mutation occurring during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
Multiple Treatments Often Required
Neuroblastoma treatment is dependent on various factors, with some requiring multiple
treatments.
Commonly Arises in Adrenal Glands
Developed from immature nerve cells, neuroblastoma is commonly found in the cells of the kidneys.
Lymphomas are cancers of the immune system, located in the lymph nodes. The majority of individuals treated with traditional radiation therapy – usually children and young adults – are cured.
Lymphomas in Children Often Aggressive
Intermediate and high-risk lymphomas, which are quick to spread but typically respond well to treatment that is intensive, are more common in children
Lymph System Filters Fluid in Tissues
The lymph systems is a network of nodes and vessels that remove bacteria from lymph fluid and produce antibodies that actively fight disease.
Physicians often utilize radiation as a treatment method for many rare tumors found in children. If a tumor is located in the head, chest, neck and abdomen or near vital organs, proton therapy is a solution that may be the best for children with these rare diseases because of the ability to target cancerous cells with a lower risk of side effects and transmission of radiation to healthy tissue.