Research advances in proton therapy for pediatric cancer

Abstract

Pediatric cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children around the world. Although radiotherapy is an important means of treatment for pediatric cancer, it causes acute or chronic adverse events that may affect patients’ survival time and quality of life. As a novel and advanced radiation technique, proton therapy allows for precise dose delivery in target volume, significantly reducing the irradiation to surrounding tissues and organs. Studies have shown that proton therapy is well tolerated in the treatment of pediatric cancer, and it achieves good tumor control; proton therapy is superior to traditional radiotherapy in improving quality of life, protecting intelligence, and reducing the risk of secondary cancer. This article reviews the research advances in the application of proton therapy in the treatment of pediatric cancer. Key words: Pediatric neoplasms/radiotherapy; Radiotherapy, proton; Progress