What are the potential benefits and limitations of particle therapy in the treatment of paediatric malignancies?

Abstract

AbstractThe reduction in dose received by normal tissue is essential in radiotherapy to reduce the chance of late side-effects. This is especially true in paediatric radiotherapy as any late-effects can seriously impair the future quality of life experienced by the treated child.Particle therapy uses high-energy particles to deliver a surgically precise beam of energy to a pre-determined position in the body. Common side-effects associated with conventional radiotherapy (CRT) are considerably reduced, often virtually eliminated, owing to the reduction in dose received by neighbouring healthy tissues, improving future quality of life. The superior accuracy of particles also means the dose can be escalated improving control rates.Clinical trials, reviews and planning studies have been reviewed to assess the benefits and limitations offered by particle therapy in paediatric treatments. The reduced integral dose and improved conformity is clearly highlighted throughout these studies, demonstrating the potential advantages available with particles when treating paediatric patients.The data suggest that the advantages experienced with particle therapy result in a significant reduction in the side-effects experienced and therefore an improvement in quality of life when compared with conventional therapy. Owing to the reduction of subsequent sequelae, paediatric patients need to be considered when designing and constructing a particle centre in the UK.