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Proton Therapy in Pediatric Care

Our experienced team provides specialized proton therapy for children with cancer and other conditions. Proton therapy precisely targets tumors while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, an important consideration for children who are still growing and developing.

Proton Therapy for Pediatric Tumors and Cancers

The pediatric radiation oncologists at Emory Proton Therapy Center are international leaders in pediatric radiation oncology and proton therapy.

We work with your child’s pediatric medical oncologist and pediatrician along with pediatric radiologists, pathologists, dieticians, social workers, child life specialists, physical therapists, and other specialists as needed. Your pediatric radiation oncologist will work closely with these and other specialists to customize your child’s pediatric cancer treatment plan, coordinate care, and reduce the stress and uncertainty related to your child’s diagnosis and treatment. We can also partner with a patient’s existing care team, whether they are across town or around the world.

What We Treat

A childhood cancer diagnosis can be one of the biggest challenges your family will ever face. Our team is dedicated to helping you meet that challenge through supportive care using the most advanced treatments available. Proton therapy may be a more precise radiation option for treating your child’s cancer. By limiting radiation exposure to growing organs and healthy tissues, it may help reduce the risk of long-term side effects and secondary cancers. Our pediatric cancer specialists will work with you to develop a personalized pediatric cancer treatment plan that aims for fewer side effects and improved quality of life.

We treat a variety of childhood cancers including:

  • Medulloblastoma
  • Ependymoma
  • Glioma
  • Astrocytoma
  • Oligodendroglioma
  • Glioblastoma
  • Atypical teratoid / rhabdoid tumor (ATRT)
  • Choroid plexus carcinoma
  • Optic nerve sheath tumor
  • Optic nerve glioma
  • Germ cell tumors
  • Craniopharyngioma
  • Hemangioblastoma
  • Ganglioglioma
  • Pineocytoma
  • Neurocytoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Ewing’s sarcoma
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Other sarcomas
  • Giant cell tumor
  • Wilms tumor
  • Lymphoma
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Re-irradiation

Streamline Access for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Our pediatric radiation oncologists work directly with pediatric medical oncologists, neuro-oncologists, surgeons and other specialists at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in a multidisciplinary treatment approach. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is a national leader in pediatric cancer treatment and is consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals in the nation for pediatric cancer care by U.S. News & World Report.

Together, we care for children and young adults with a wide range of cancer and blood disorders—from the most common to those rarely seen outside of the top centers. This clinical expertise, along with pediatric support services, makes the Emory Proton Therapy Center a top destination for the treatment of pediatric cancers.

Benefits of Proton Therapy in Pediatric Cancer Care

Lower Risk of Long-Term Growth and Development Issues

Children are particularly sensitive to the effects of radiation. By reducing or avoiding radiation to normal healthy organs and tissues, proton therapy may reduce the risk of problems in the growth, development, and function of your child. Reducing or avoiding radiation to normal tissues also reduces the risk of developing a future second tumor or cancer, which is most relevant in children and younger patients, especially those with a good prognosis and a long-life expectancy, and those children who may have genetic conditions putting them at higher risk for developing other cancers in the future.

Lower Risk of Secondary Cancers

One of the most significant long-term concerns with childhood cancer treatment is the development of secondary cancers, which are new cancers that develop years or decades later as a result of the initial radiation therapy. This risk is directly related to the total radiation dose and the volume of normal tissue exposed. By reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues, proton therapy may lower this long-term risk, which is most relevant in children and younger patients, especially those with a good prognosis and a long life expectancy, and those children who may have genetic conditions putting them at higher risk for developing other cancers in the future.

Fewer Short-Term Side Effects

While radiation therapy is often necessary and beneficial, it can cause side effects during and immediately after treatment. These might include fatigue, hair loss in the radiation field, skin irritation, nausea, or difficulty eating or swallowing. By reducing the overall radiation dose to healthy tissues, proton therapy typically results in fewer and less severe acute side effects, allowing children to maintain better nutrition and quality of life during treatment.

Better Long-Term Quality of Life

The cumulative effect of these benefits is a significantly better long-term quality of life. By reducing radiation exposure to developing organs and tissues, proton therapy may help preserve hearing, vision, cognitive function, hormone production, and fertility, while lowering the risk of secondary cancers later in life.

Improved Treatment Flexibility

Because proton therapy is so precise, it can be used in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments as part of a comprehensive plan of care. This flexibility allows our team to design truly personalized treatment plans that use the best tools available for each child’s specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Proton therapy is considered a highly precise radiation option for children. This is especially important for young patients, as their developing bodies are more vulnerable to long-term side effects from radiation. At Emory Proton Therapy Center, our experienced team specializes in pediatric cases and uses advanced technology to ensure optimal safety and outcomes for children.

The main limitations are availability (fewer proton centers exist compared to conventional radiation facilities) and cost (insurance coverage varies). Treatment planning requires more time due to precise imaging and customization. Some patients experience mild side effects like fatigue or skin sensitivity in the treatment area. Proton therapy also isn’t ideal for all cancer types. Your care team will determine if it’s the best option for your specific diagnosis.

Proton therapy works best for cancers located near vital organs (heart, lungs, spine) or in sensitive areas where sparing healthy tissue is critical. Common candidates include brain tumors, head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, certain breast cancers, and pediatric cancers. Emory Proton Therapy Center treats a wide range of cancer types and can evaluate whether proton therapy is right for your case.

Treatment approaches vary by cancer type and stage, but typically involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. Proton therapy is an excellent radiation option for many childhood cancers because it delivers targeted doses while protecting developing organs and tissues. Emory’s multidisciplinary team works together to create personalized treatment plans that prioritize your child’s long-term health and quality of life.