Pediatric
Neuro-Oncology Clinic

Proton Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors

Pediatric brain tumors are very different from adult brain tumors, both in terms of the type of cells and the responsiveness to treatment. As part of the innovative Northwestern Medicine cancer care network, the team at Northwestern Medicine Proton Center can help you understand your child’s diagnosis and treatment options.

Proton therapy is an advanced cancer treatment that is often appropriate for treating pediatric brain tumors. The precision of proton therapy exposes the least amount of healthy tissue to radiation and pediatric cases can particularly benefit from the decreased risk of long-term side effects.

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Clinic is a collaborative program between the cancer specialists at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine Proton Center. The clinic offers a streamlined consultation process for pediatric patients and their families as well as a greater integration of clinical and research services overall.

The Proton Center is one of the few proton therapy centers throughout the Midwest and the first one in Illinois. Our team is dedicated to explaining all of the treatment options for your child and facilitating a conversation with his or her physician or oncologist to determine the best course of treatment.

Request more information or call 877.887.5807 to learn if your child can benefit from proton therapy.

Proton therapy has a significantly lower risk of long-term side effects for pediatric patients compared to standard radiation therapy. The precision of proton therapy allows the radiation to target the tumor with less damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Pediatric patients who receive proton therapy benefit from a decreased risk of problems with memory, concentration, vision and hearing as well as improved quality of life in the long term.

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates with Lurie Children’s physicians, including hematology/oncology specialists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists, along with pediatric anesthesia and critical care clinicians. With all experts and services now available in one convenient location, patients receive a highly efficient and comprehensive approach to their care.