Why Proton Therapy Is Suitable For Treating Paediatric Cancer

Medically reviewed by Dr Johann Tang, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist

Paediatric cancers have different causes and occur in different locations than adult cancers. Children’s cancers must be treated differently by specialists who have a keen understanding of the unique needs of children with cancer.

Paediatric Cancer

As compared to adult cancers, paediatric cancers are less likely due to environmental causes or lifestyle habits such as smoking. Most causes of paediatric cancer are unknown, although some percentage of cases are due to genetic mutations.

While breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer tend to be more common in adults, children tend to develop different types of cancers that include leukaemia, lymphoma, and brain or nervous system cancers.

Children also tend to respond to cancer treatments better than adults. On average, recovery rates for paediatric cancers tend to be higher than adult cancers. However, they may also be more susceptible to long-term side effects of treatments such as radiation therapy in Singapore since their bodies are still growing and developing.

Cancer Treatment Options

After the initial paediatric cancer diagnosis, an Oncologist will put together a cancer treatment protocol that may include multiple different cancer treatment methods which can work in tandem. The most commonly used paediatric cancer treatments include surgical removal of cancerous tissue, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.

Generally the chosen treatment methods are determined by the type of paediatric cancer the patient has presented with, the severity of the condition, and the location of the cancer.

Learn More: How To Prepare Yourself For A Radiotherapy Treatment Session

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is one of the best ways of treating cancers, both in adults and children. Advances in technology have allowed for accurate targeting of high-energy radiation beams that kill off cancer cells. Multiple treatment sessions might be required to kill off the cancer cells via this treatment method.

The downside of radiation therapy lies in the fact that radiation therapy can also affect nearby healthy cells. This can cause side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. Children especially are at risk of developing secondary cancers due to the effects of radiation therapy itself.

In recent years, proton therapy has emerged as an alternate form of radiation therapy that can reduce the risk of complications from treatment while still proving effective at treating the primary cancer.

Source: https://www.acornpd.com/varian-probeam

Source: https://www.acornpd.com/varian-probeam

Source: http://www.attikourismedical.com/product/treatment/oncology/varian-protobeam/

Source: https://protherapy.ru/protontherapy_en/start-research-outbreak-radiotherapy-with-rake-lactic-zelezy

Proton Therapy

Proton Therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a radiation treatment that uses protons rather than high-energy photons to deliver radioactive energy to cancer cells. These proton beams are less likely to scatter into healthy tissue and can be calibrated to deliver nearly all of their radiation to the tumour itself. This can result in a cancer treatment that has less side effects overall.

Since children are more sensitive to the effects of radiation, Proton Therapy may be a more effective, targeted, and appropriate treatment for children than other types of radiation therapy. It can dramatically reduce the risk of later complications and has the greatest benefit for very young children and infants with cancer.

Proton Therapy is also widely being used for cancers near sensitive areas of the body. If a tumour is located in the brain, spine, behind the heart, next to the eye or reproductive organs, then radiation treatment can have significant long term impacts on children. Proton Therapy can mitigate and lower the chance of damage to critical tissues and reduce the negative impact on those organs.

As an experienced Radiation Oncologist, Dr Johann Tang is trained and qualified in treating cancers for both adults and patients. With a patient-centric approach, you can be assured that all your clinical needs will be met with professionalism and care. Contact us today to find out more about our services and make an appointment with our clinic today.