This personalized approach provides continuity for patients and families that is essential for children with cancer. We have specialized programs in bone tumors, sarcomas, leukemias, and brain tumors. Laboratory research is currently focused on the molecular pathogenesis of malignancy and the interaction of blood vessels and platelets. On call for emergencies after hours and on weekends. The Pediatric Radiation Oncology Unit is part of the Department of Radiation Oncology.
Patients have access to both standard radiation treatment as well as proton beam therapy.
Proton beam therapy permits focused radiation treatments that improve the care for many tumors while at the same time greatly reducing the damage of surrounding tissue and diminishing subsequent late effect in survivors. The Northeast Proton Beam Therapy Center, due to open in 2000 on the MGH campus, will provide onsite access to this form of therapy. Currently patients are treated with proton beam therapy at the Harvard Cyclotron.