Proton beam therapy in paediatric cancer: Anticipating the opening of the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research.
J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol
; 2023 Dec 25.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38146017
ABSTRACT
Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) has the potential to improve paediatric cancer care by reducing radiation exposure and thus long-term toxicities. Ethical concerns and debates surrounding the treatment, such as eligibility and accessibility, are ongoing in Australia. The Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR) (named after Sir William Henry Bragg who described the Bragg peak in his laboratory at the University of Adelaide in 1903) aims to increase access to PBT in Australasia and offer a patient-centred care approach. Research is underway to assess PBT's safety and cost-effectiveness, using tools including Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) models. Collaborative efforts are focused on developing tailored survivorship clinics to enhance patient follow-up and quality of life. With the anticipated opening of the ABCPTR, Australia is preparing to take a significant step in radiation oncology, offering new research opportunities and creating a publicly funded treatment centre. The initiative aims to balance treatment efficacy with patient care, setting the stage for a future in which radiation therapy will reduce long-term side effects compared to the current standard of care. The implementation of PBT in Australia represents a complex and promising approach to paediatric oncology. This article provides an overview of the current landscape, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of a treatment that could redefine the quality of survivorship and contribute to global research and best clinical practice.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol
/
J. med. imaging radiat. oncol. (Online)
/
Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology (Online)
Asunto de la revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
/
NEOPLASIAS
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RADIOLOGIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia