Accelerated protons in the treatment of cns tumors in children: a review of the literature

For the majority of pediatric patients with brain tumors radiation therapy is one major component in a medical complex. The main problem with its use is the prevention of remote consequences for potentially curable patients. The use of radiation therapy with accelerated protons, due to the peculiarities of the distribution of energy in the tissues, allows for maximum reduction of the radiation load on critical structure and to reduce the severity of late effects compared with that observed after irradiation by photons with the equivalent immediate effect. In this regard, proton irradiation is preferable for patients with potentially curable brain tumors, for which the photon radiation is associated with risk of development of late complications. The higher cost of proton irradiation refunded by reduction in the cost of treating the consequences observed after photon radiation therapy.