As the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia, Winship is a leader in pediatric cancer treatments. Our staff conduct innovative research and clinical trials that transform how these cancers are identified, treated, and survived.
The subspecialized pediatric radiation oncologists at Emory Proton Therapy Center are international leaders in pediatric radiation oncology and proton therapy. We work with your child’s pediatric medical oncologist and pediatrician along with pediatric radiologists, pathologists, dieticians, social workers, child life specialists, physical therapists, and other specialists as needed. Your pediatric radiation oncologist will work closely with these and other specialists to customize your child’s pediatric cancer treatment plan, coordinate care, and reduce the stress and uncertainty related to your child’s diagnosis and treatment. We can also partner with a patient’s existing care team, whether they are across town or around the world.
Proton Therapy for Pediatric Tumors and Cancers
A childhood cancer diagnosis can be one of the biggest challenges your family will ever face. Our team is dedicated to helping you meet that challenge through supportive care using the most advanced treatments available. Proton therapy may be a more precise radiation option for treating your child’s cancer. By limiting radiation exposure to growing organs and healthy tissues, it may help reduce the risk of long-term side effects and secondary cancers. Our pediatric cancer specialists will work with you to develop a personalized pediatric cancer treatment plan that aims for fewer side effects and improved quality of life.
What We Treat
- Medulloblastoma
- Ependymoma
- Glioma
- Astrocytoma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Glioblastoma
- Atypical teratoid / rhabdoid tumor (ATRT)
- Choroid plexus carcinoma
- Optic nerve sheath tumor
- Optic nerve glioma
- Germ cell tumors
- Craniopharyngioma
- Hemangioblastoma
- Ganglioglioma
- Pineocytoma
- Neurocytoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Other sarcomas
- Giant cell tumor
- Wilms tumor
- Lymphoma
- Neuroblastoma
- Retinoblastoma
- Re-irradiation
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory Proton Therapy Center Streamline Access for Pediatric Cancer Patients
Proton Therapy Leads to Fewer Side Effects, Complications
Proton therapy is one of the most precise and advanced forms of radiation therapy available in the world today. In the hands of the expert cancer team at Emory Proton Therapy Center, this specialized pencil beam technology destroys cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. As a result, patients generally experience fewer short-term side effects and long-term complications than with traditional radiation therapy. This is especially important for children, whose bodies are still growing and developing.
At the Emory Proton Therapy Center, pediatric radiation oncologists work directly with pediatric medical oncologists, neuro-oncologists, surgeons and other specialists at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in a multi-disciplinary treatment approach. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is a national leader in pediatric cancer treatment and is consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals in the nation for pediatric cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. Together, we care for children and young adults with a wide range of cancer and blood disorders—from the most common to those rarely seen outside of the top centers. This clinical expertise, along with pediatric support services, makes the Emory Proton Therapy Center a top destination for the treatment of pediatric cancers.
Why Choose Emory Proton Therapy Center?
Pediatric cancer treatment requires specialized expertise that extends far beyond delivering radiation. Children’s bodies are fundamentally different from adults’ bodies, their tissues are still developing, their organs are growing, and their life expectancy following cancer treatment is often decades long. This reality fundamentally changes how we approach radiation therapy for young patients.
Proton therapy represents a significant advancement in pediatric cancer care because it allows us to deliver highly targeted radiation doses to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Traditional photon radiation therapy (also called X-ray therapy) delivers radiation throughout the body as the beam passes through tissue. In contrast, proton beams deposit most of their energy at a precise depth known as the Bragg peak and release minimal radiation beyond the target. For children, this distinction is crucial because it can mean the difference between normal growth and development versus long-term complications.
The Science Behind Proton Therapy
Proton therapy is one of the most precise and advanced forms of radiation therapy available in the world today. Understanding how it works can help families appreciate why it’s often the preferred choice for pediatric patients.
All radiation therapy works by delivering energy that damages cancer cell DNA, preventing these cells from dividing and growing. The key difference between proton therapy and traditional X-ray therapy lies in how that energy is delivered through the body.
In X-ray therapy, the beam enters the body, passes through the tumor, and continues out the other side, depositing radiation along its entire path. For a child with a brain tumor, this means radiation exposure to the skull, brain tissue, the tumor itself, and healthy brain tissue on the opposite side of the head. Over decades, this scattered radiation can affect cognitive development, hormone production, hearing, vision, and other functions.
Proton beams, by contrast, travel through tissue with minimal energy loss until they reach their target depth. At that precise depth—the Bragg peak—they deposit their maximum energy and then stop abruptly. The radiation oncology team precisely calculates the depth at which each proton beam should stop so that the Bragg peak occurs exactly at the tumor boundary. This means far less radiation reaches healthy tissues beyond the tumor.
Benefits of Proton Therapy
Lower Risk of Long-Term Growth and Development Issues
Children are particularly sensitive to the effects of radiation. By reducing or avoiding radiation to normal healthy organs and tissues, proton therapy may reduce the risk of problems in the growth, development, and function of your child. Reducing or avoiding radiation to normal tissues also reduces the risk of developing a future second tumor or cancer, which is most relevant in children and younger patients, especially those with a good prognosis and a long-life expectancy, and those children who may have genetic conditions putting them at higher risk for developing other cancers in the future.
Lower Risk of Secondary Cancers
One of the most significant long-term concerns with childhood cancer treatment is the development of secondary cancers, which are new cancers that develop years or decades later as a result of the initial radiation therapy. This risk is directly related to the total radiation dose and the volume of normal tissue exposed.
By reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues, proton therapy may lower this long-term risk, which is most relevant in children and younger patients, especially those with a good prognosis and a long life expectancy, and those children who may have genetic conditions putting them at higher risk for developing other cancers in the future.
Fewer Short-Term Side Effects
While radiation therapy is often necessary and beneficial, it can cause side effects during and immediately after treatment. These might include fatigue, hair loss in the radiation field, skin irritation, nausea, or difficulty eating or swallowing. By reducing the overall radiation dose to healthy tissues, proton therapy typically results in fewer and less severe acute side effects, allowing children to maintain better nutrition and quality of life during treatment.
Better Long-Term Quality of Life
The cumulative effect of these benefits is a significantly better long-term quality of life. By reducing radiation exposure to developing organs and tissues, proton therapy may help preserve hearing, vision, cognitive function, hormone production, and fertility, while lowering the risk of secondary cancers later in life.
Improved Treatment Flexibility
Because proton therapy is so precise, it can be used in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments as part of a comprehensive plan of care. This flexibility allows our team to design truly personalized treatment plans that use the best tools available for each child’s specific situation.
Schedule a Consultation
What to Expect with Proton Therapy
The first step in your care is a consultation. During consultation, we review your child’s medical history, perform a physical exam, decide if any additional tests are needed, discuss all radiation options that may be appropriate for their care, make recommendations, and answer questions.
To plan their treatment, your child will undergo a “simulation” or planning session. During this visit our radiation therapists will help position them the way they will be treated each day. For children receiving radiation treatment to the brain or head and neck, a custom plastic mesh mask is made. This mask helps get them in the correct position for treatment and fits snugly to remind them to hold still during treatment. They can see and breathe through the mask. A CT scan will be done to create a picture of them in the treatment position to design their radiation plan. Some patients also undergo an MRI during this visit to help identify the target for treatment.
Sedation or anesthesia services are provided by specialized pediatric anesthesiologists for the youngest patients when necessary for simulation or treatment. Your care team will discuss with you whether sedation may be needed for your child. A child life specialist will provide developmentally appropriate education about what to expect and prepare them for any procedures and treatments. Our goal is to reduce stress for children and their families and create an optimal environment for healing.
It normally takes 10 days for the team to design the proton treatment plan and perform the quality assurance checks before treatment begins. Proton therapy is typically delivered once daily during weekdays, Monday through Friday. Most children receive treatment for four to six weeks of daily radiation. A few conditions can be treated in a shorter period of time. While some conditions are treated with radiation alone, proton therapy may be integrated with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments as part of a comprehensive plan of care.
Like other types of radiation, proton therapy treatments are invisible and painless. Time in the treatment room for children can average 30 to 60 minutes each day, depending on the type of treatment or the need for sedation. At the end of each week of treatment, children select a toy from Pamela’s Proton Presents.
Children are seen by the radiation oncology physician team weekly during treatment to monitor progress, answer questions, address concerns, and manage any side effects from treatment. Your radiation oncologist will discuss a plan to assess response to treatment and for long-term follow-up after therapy.
Studies on Proton Therapy in Pediatric Cancer
Our team has identified these studies as examples of the clinical benefits of proton therapy in pediatric cancer.
Contact Emory Proton Therapy Center To Schedule A Consultation
Our team is ready to discuss your child’s specific situation, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions about proton therapy treatment. Whether you’re local to Atlanta or traveling from across the country or around the world, we’re here to help.
We also welcome inquiries from referring physicians and other members of your child’s care team. We can participate in tumor boards, provide second opinions, and coordinate seamlessly with your existing medical team.
Proton Therapy For Pediatric Cancer FAQs
Is Proton Therapy Safe for Children?
Yes. Proton therapy is considered a highly precise radiation option for children. This is especially important for young patients, as their developing bodies are more vulnerable to long-term side effects from radiation. At Emory Proton Therapy Center, our experienced team specializes in pediatric cases and uses advanced technology to ensure optimal safety and outcomes for children.
What Is the Downside of Proton Therapy?
The main limitations are availability (fewer proton centers exist compared to conventional radiation facilities) and cost (insurance coverage varies). Treatment planning requires more time due to precise imaging and customization. Some patients experience mild side effects like fatigue or skin sensitivity in the treatment area. Proton therapy also isn’t ideal for all cancer types. Your care team will determine if it’s the best option for your specific diagnosis.
What Cancers Are Best Treated With Proton Therapy?
Proton therapy works best for cancers located near vital organs (heart, lungs, spine) or in sensitive areas where sparing healthy tissue is critical. Common candidates include brain tumors, head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, certain breast cancers, and pediatric cancers. Emory Proton Therapy Center treats a wide range of cancer types and can evaluate whether proton therapy is right for your case.
What Is the Most Common Treatment for Childhood Cancer?
Treatment approaches vary by cancer type and stage, but typically involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. Proton therapy is an excellent radiation option for many childhood cancers because it delivers targeted doses while protecting developing organs and tissues. Emory’s multidisciplinary team works together to create personalized treatment plans that prioritize your child’s long-term health and quality of life.
Patient Stories
“I’ve been through it, and I can’t say enough about the amazing care I received. The team who handled my treatments was absolutely wonderful, making a difficult time so much easier to navigate.”
My experience at Emory was incredible—it was as easy as drinking water! The therapy sessions only took about 5 to 10 minutes, and right after, I’d go for a 4-mile walk every single day. I had no side effects whatsoever—I can’t even tell that I had the treatment. Emory truly saved my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Stephen, a 36-year old father from Columbus, Georgia, is one of the almost 2000 patients who have been treated at the Emory Proton Therapy Center since it opened in December 2018. He completed six weeks of proton therapy to treat a brain tumor.
“I went through 37 treatments for prostate cancer at the Emory Proton Center two years ago. The care I received from their team of professionals was amazing. I was willing to travel from South Carolina for treatment, and I’m so thankful I did. I started this fight in 2017 and today my PSA is still undetectable. Truly amazing folks.”
Proton therapy gave Zack his best shot at treating a spinal tumor that had come back. Zack was one of the first patients treated at the Emory Proton Therapy Center after it opened in 2018. The treatments, every weekday for six weeks, took less than one hour of his day and gave Zack the greatest odds of a long life with his wife and children.
Tony was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 and sought care from experts at Emory Proton Therapy Center. He’s confident that the advanced radiation therapy gave him the best cancer treatment possible and says the comfort and care he got from Winship doctors and staff were unmatched. “There were many great solutions here in Atlanta, but the best to me was Emory Proton Therapy Center,” says Tony.
