Proton Radiotherapy: A Gentler Form of Radiation Treatment by Dr. Allen Cherer

1. Proton Radiotherapy: A
Gentler Form of
Radiation Treatment
DR. ALLEN CHERER DRALLENCHERER.NET

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.