Proton beam therapy following resection for childhood ependymoma.

INTRODUCTION

Proton radiation therapy is a form of radiation with physical properties that can provide an advantage in normal tissue sparing compared to the more commonly used photon therapy.

DISCUSSION

The greatest benefit may be for young patients with tumors requiring relatively high doses of radiation and adjacent to critical structures. Children with central nervous system ependymomas meet these criteria and have a very high likelihood of benefit from proton radiation. At present, proton radiation is limited to select centers. However, knowledge of many of the physical advantages of proton therapy has spread rapidly over the past several years, and its availability is becoming more widespread.