Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.55378/rv.49.1.8
Radiation Therapy for children
Marta Pekvarić
; Zdravstveno veleučilište Zagreb; Klinički bolnički centar Sestre Milosrdnice, Klinika za tumore
*
Velimir Karadža
; Zdravstveno veleučilište Zagreb
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Radiotherapy in paediatric oncology brings specific challenges and differences compared to radiation therapy for adult patients. Children are the most sensitive group of patients because their organs and tissues are still developing, which means that ionizing radiation has a much greater impact and harm to healthy tissues in children than in adults. In paediatric oncology, we very often encounter large-volume tumours in specific locations, which pose a great challenge in planning and implementing radiotherapy. The risk of radiation and the occurrence of secondary cancers due to damage to healthy tissue during the treatment of the primary tumour is high, and new methods can reduce this risk. It is difficult or impossible to explain to most children the importance of stillness during radiotherapy, which means that most children are subjected to anaesthesia. Every child and family faced with a tumour diagnosis goes through the most difficult moments of their lives, therefore, children and their families should be treated by professionals specialized in paediatric oncology and radiotherapy. Children are most often, and in Croatia as well, treated in hospitals and institutions intended for adults. To facilitate the treatment process, it is important to explain the entire process that they will go through as a form of play and conversation adapted to the child’s age. After the diagnosis follows preparation and planning of radiation therapy, which is carried out by the oncologist in consultation with radiation therapists and medical physicists. Finally, there is treatment, radiation therapy delivery, carried out by radiation therapist (RTT). The role of RTTs is to instruct, prepare and position the child in a way suitable for the treatment and to operate the radiotherapy machine. Today’s technological advances and the advent of new treatment methods enable much better delivery of radiation to tumour tissue and much better protection of surrounding healthy tissue.
Keywords
radiotherapy, children, tumours, radiation
Hrčak ID:
330413
URI
Publication date:
11.4.2025.
Visits: 110 *