Radiation oncology, also known as radiation therapy, plays a significant role in childhood cancer care. Our pediatric radiation oncologists are specially trained to give your child safe, effective radiation treatments, during which high doses of radiation destroy or reduce the size of a tumor while sparing the healthy tissues and organs that surround it. Radiation treatments may be done with or without other forms of treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Our expertise in radiation oncology
At Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, your child will receive care from many of the world’s most experienced pediatric cancer doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and internationally recognized pediatric sub-specialists at Boston Children's Hospital.
- Our radiation oncologists completed special training in pediatric oncology and radiation oncology and are entirely focused on delivering radiotherapy to young children and adolescents.
- We use special machines called CT-simulators to map out your child’s treatment plan. This helps us target the radiation therapy to the tumor, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and decreasing your child’s risk of developing side effects.
- Our researchers are studying the side effects of radiotherapy on the vascular system in children.
- We have access to all open proton beam protocols offered through the Northeast Proton Therapy Center.
Learn more about the Radiation Oncology Program on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website.
