Pediatric Proton Therapy
617-724-1836
Call Pediatric Proton Therapy at 617-724-1836
Leaders in pediatric proton therapy
Pediatric proton therapy at Mass General Brigham for Children, in collaboration with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, offers an advanced form of radiation treatment for children with cancerous and noncancerous tumors.
With proton therapy, we precisely target the tumor, limiting damage to nearby tissues and cells. There’s less risk of long-term effects on your child’s growth and development.
Our Pediatric Proton Therapy Program is one of the largest in the world and the only program of its kind in New England.
Part of Mass General Brigham for Children
What is proton therapy?
Proton therapy (also called proton beam therapy) uses a high-energy, focused proton beam. We can control this beam to precisely target tumors and stop treatment at the tumor site.
Regular external beam radiation therapy uses X-rays (photons) that scatter through a child’s body. With proton therapy, there’s less damage to surrounding cells and tissues.
Benefits of proton therapy include:
- Fewer short- and long-term side effects compared with standard radiation
- Reduced risk of effects on growth and development
- Highly targeted radiation delivery to the tumor
Our approach to pediatric proton therapy
Before treatment begins, your child will have a CT simulation at our proton therapy center. This visit allows the care team to plan treatment and determine the exact positioning needed for therapy.
During the simulation, your child lies still on a scan table while the team:
- Adjusts body positioning
- Places small ink marks on the skin to ensure accurate positioning during treatment
- Creates a custom mask or mold for the treatment area, when needed, to support precise delivery of therapy
After the simulation, your child’s radiation oncologist works with physicists to customize a treatment plan. This entire process takes about 10 days. Your child starts treatment as soon as possible.
Most children need six to eight weeks of proton therapy.
Throughout this care journey, your family has access to:
- Oncology resource specialists who assist with housing, transportation, and community resources
- Child life specialists who help children understand and cope with treatment
- Support with health insurance and financial assistance
- Integrative therapies, such as art and music therapy
- Pediatric palliative care for symptom management and emotional support
- School coordination and educational support through a local agency
Proton therapy for childhood cancers and noncancerous tumors
Our specialists
617-724-1836
Call Pediatric Proton Therapy
Contact Pediatric Proton Therapy
617-724-1836
Call Pediatric Proton Therapy at 617-724-1836
International Patient Services
Contact information for international patients