Radiation therapy is integral in treatment of pediatric brain tumors. However, conventional photon radiation is associated with long-term neurocognitive effects, including decrements in IQ and difficulties with attention, processing speed, and other executive skills. Proton radiation provides better targeting of tumors than conventional photon radiation, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. It is expected that radiation-related neurocognitive impairments would be lower after proton radiation relative to reports of photon radiation.
The study presented at ASCO examined long-term neurocognitive outcomes of 56 patients with brain tumors treated with proton radiation at MGH. “Late effects of radiotherapy can be disabling and affect health, as well as hearing, neurocognitive functioning and psychosocial functioning,” said Torunn I. Yock, MD, director of pediatric radiation oncology at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. “Proton radiation radiates less normal tissue, which should result in fewer late side effects of treatment.”
Conclusions: At 2-year follow-up after proton radiation, neurocognitive performances were stable, with no significant change seen in most areas assessed. Overall, results compare favorably to reports from photon radiation treatment.
In addition, about 30% of patients had hormone deficits, but that compares with 50% to 70% of patients treated with photons.
Finally, although there was a statistically significant hearing loss found at 1 year at frequencies of 3,000 Hz and higher, these rates are still improved compared with the use of intensity–modulated radiation therapy and photon therapy reported in the literature, according to Yock.
For more information:
Yock TI. #CRA9507. Presented at: the 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting; June 4-8; Chicago.
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