Pediatric Radiation Oncology uses radiation therapy to shrink tumors before surgery. Radiation therapy can also be given after surgery to prevent cancer from returning.
Radiation therapy uses high powered X-rays or radioactive seeds to fight many types of cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.
The cancers we treat in children include:
- Bone sarcoma
- Cancers of the central nervous system
- Hodgkins lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Neuroblastoma
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Wilm’s Tumor
Treatments and services
We are staffed and equipped to manage the needs of all pediatric patients requiring radiotherapy.
The following treatments are critically important in treating pediatric patients:
- Advanced and highly conformal, three-dimensional planning
- Stereotactic radiotherapy treatments (SRT)
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- External beam radiation, or X-rays, treat tumors from outside the body with a very focused beam of radiation.
- Internal beam radiation, or radioactive "seeds," are placed into or near the tumor to destroy it.
We provide coordinated, patient- and family-centered care for your child by working with other CHaD programs, including:
- CHaD PainFree Program: when pediatric patients require sedation during treatment
- Child Life Specialists: Our Child Life Specialists understand the special needs and concerns of children. They work with our patients and their families to lessen the concerns kids have during treatment by helping kids and their families know what to expect before their treatment.
- Pediatric oncologists
- Pediatric surgeons
- Pediatric radiologists
- Social workers: Our social workers are attentive to the needs of children and their families as they deal with all of the issues associated with having cancer treatment.
Protocols are offered through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).