US News on Pediatric Proton Therapy

By: Lisa Esposito, June 21st 2016

US News and World Report has published an article summarizing the current state of proton therapy in the United States, including effectiveness and accessibility. Some of the more interesting points came from Dr. Torunn Yock, director of pediatric radiation oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Yock co-authored a study published in December 2015 in the journal Cancer, which compared the cost-effectiveness of proton radiation therapy versus traditional radiation among kids with medulloblastoma. The study, which used models to measure long-term side effects and related costs in treatment, work-force participation and quality of life, found that proton therapy was cost-effective."

Dr. Anita Mahajan, a professor and chief of pediatric radiation oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, added, "If we can prevent some neurocognitive deficits, endocrine issues, growth issues, skeletal deformities, those are going to help that child be more productive in society and need fewer medical interventions down the road."

Read the cost-effectiveness study referenced in this article with Dr. Yock, here.

Read the full US News and World Report article here.