“Is radiation therapy safe for children?”
My younger cousin was diagnosed with bone cancer, and she's 12 years old. My aunt and her husband decided that her best treatment option is radiation therapy, but I feel like this carries a lot of risks for kids. Is this really a safe option?
3 Answers
There are more risks with children retarding the growth of bone, more serious damage of normal tissue. You have to weigh the risk and benefit of treatments.
In the hands of expert pediatric radiation oncologists, the targeted radiation that is used in cases like this is usually quite safe. However, if any alternatives in the form of chemotherapy and surgery are available, they would’ve typically been used first. Radiation for pediatric cancers is only used when no good alternatives exists, so I would suggest that your family have a meeting with the pediatric radiation oncologist to discuss risks benefits and alternatives. Ask how many similar cases the doctor has treated and try to find someone with experience in the use of this treatment.
Roger Macklis
Roger Macklis
Dear Concerned Cousin,
Thank you for sharing your questions regarding the recommended course of radiation therapy for your cousin. Indeed, radiation therapy is associated with multiple side effects. This is particularly pertinent in the pediatric population, as radiation in younger patients can result in growth abnormalities, compromised reproductivity/fertility, endocrine dysfunctions (resulting in hormone deficiencies) and future secondary malignancies (a.k.a. radiation-induced cancers). Please note that, regardless of age, radiation is local treatment and, as such, the side effects are almost exclusively localized to the treatment/target site. However, despite its acute and long-term side effects, radiation therapy is essential and highly effective in the treatment of most childhood malignancies, either in unimodality, or as a component of multimodal treatment. Thus, the risks and benefits of radiation, weighed meticulously, must be thoroughly explained to parents/guardians and, of course, the patient. Pediatric oncology protocol review, treatment delivery, and interim and post-treatment evaluations are methodically planned and systematically executed. Notably, side effects are closely monitored and preempted for early intervention, and to avert treatment-related events.
For all the aforementioned reasons, pediatric cancer patients are routinely referred to large multidisciplinary cancer institutions, equipped with the required resources, specialized skills and experience, to render optimal care for pediatric cancer patients (like your cousin).
I hope that the explanation herein sufficiently addresses your concerns.
Best regards,
Dr. EB
Thank you for sharing your questions regarding the recommended course of radiation therapy for your cousin. Indeed, radiation therapy is associated with multiple side effects. This is particularly pertinent in the pediatric population, as radiation in younger patients can result in growth abnormalities, compromised reproductivity/fertility, endocrine dysfunctions (resulting in hormone deficiencies) and future secondary malignancies (a.k.a. radiation-induced cancers). Please note that, regardless of age, radiation is local treatment and, as such, the side effects are almost exclusively localized to the treatment/target site. However, despite its acute and long-term side effects, radiation therapy is essential and highly effective in the treatment of most childhood malignancies, either in unimodality, or as a component of multimodal treatment. Thus, the risks and benefits of radiation, weighed meticulously, must be thoroughly explained to parents/guardians and, of course, the patient. Pediatric oncology protocol review, treatment delivery, and interim and post-treatment evaluations are methodically planned and systematically executed. Notably, side effects are closely monitored and preempted for early intervention, and to avert treatment-related events.
For all the aforementioned reasons, pediatric cancer patients are routinely referred to large multidisciplinary cancer institutions, equipped with the required resources, specialized skills and experience, to render optimal care for pediatric cancer patients (like your cousin).
I hope that the explanation herein sufficiently addresses your concerns.
Best regards,
Dr. EB
