Radiation Therapy for Children

The child may need to do the following diagnostic tests before radiation therapy:

• Physical examination: The child’s physical health, symptoms, and medical history are evaluated by the doctor.
• Blood tests: The various blood parameters of the child and certain underlying medical conditions can be diagnosed using blood tests.
• Imaging tests: Tests like CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds may be done to create clear images of the suspected cancerous organ.
• Endoscopy: A tube having a camera on one end, known as an endoscope, is used to examine an organ internally.
• Biopsy: A part of the tissue growth is surgically excised by the doctor and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

Depending on the type of radiation therapy being performed, the treatment can be carried out in the following ways:

1. External beam radiation therapy:
The child is made to lie down on the treatment table according to the position determined by the simulation procedure.
The doctor then goes into an adjacent room to monitor the treatment.
A linear accelerator machine will then direct the high-energy radiation beams into the child’s body.
The linear accelerator machine will move around the patient to provide radiation from several angles as the child lies on the treatment table.
This linear accelerator will create a buzzing sound, but the child cannot feel anything during the procedure.
The child usually goes home on the same day after treatment.
Each treatment session lasts for about ten to thirty minutes.

2. Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy:
This procedure is done by implanting a radiation source inside the body of the child.
The procedure is usually done under sedation and the implanted source is placed via a thin tube known as a catheter or a larger device known as an applicator.

3. Systemic radiation therapy:
The radiation source can be given in the form of capsules or through an intravenous (injected into the vein) line to the child.

The side effects of radiation therapy in children vary depending on the area being treated and may include the following:
1. Head and neck:

• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Mouth changes
• Blurry vision
• Taste changes
• Trouble in swallowing
• Thyroid gland is less active

2. Chest:

• Hair loss 
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Skin changes
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble in swallowing 
• Stomach:
• Fatigue
• Hair loss 
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin changes 
• Bladder and urinary changes 

3. Pelvic region or rectum:

• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sexual problems
• Fertility problems
• Skin changes
• Bladder and urinary changes 

The late side effects of radiation therapy in children based on the area being treated include:
Head, neck, brain, and spine:
Cognitive defects
Growth and developmental problems
Dental problems
Hearing problems
Visual problems
Spinal problems
Obesity

Chest:
Heart problems
Breast cancer
Lung problems

Stomach:
Digestive system problems
Liver problems
Colorectal cancer

Pelvis:
Colorectal cancer 

• The child will usually go home on the same day after a radiation therapy session.
• Following brachytherapy or systematic radiation therapy, the child will be radioactive for a few days after the procedure. It is essential to not allow too many people near the child during this time to prevent radiation exposure to other people. The primary caretaker of the child also needs to wear protective gear and try and stay at a safe distance from the child during this period.
• Side effects like fatigue and skin irritation may be observed in the child after a couple of treatment sessions.
• The doctor will monitor the patient closely and check the treatment progress, side effects of the treatment, and adjust the radiation dosage accordingly for subsequent therapy sessions.
• The child should be given a well-balanced diet and should drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day after a therapy session.
• The doctor may prescribe certain medications to ease the side effects caused due to radiation therapy.
• Regular check-ups will be needed after the completion of the treatment.
• The doctor recommends getting imaging tests done during the follow-up sessions to check how successful was the radiation treatment and if there is any cancer recurrence.