The new recommendations of the International Expert Group on Radiation Therapy of Lymphomas (ILROG) are also applied by oncologists in the treatment of children with leukemia. If a child with or relapsing acute leukemia has central nervous system (CNS) damage, the doctor will usually recommend radiation therapy. Neuroleukemia cannot be cured with chemotherapy or targeted therapy alone. Especially if leukemic cells are found in the cerebrospinal fluid or tumor formations from leukemia cells in the brain or spinal cord have been identified. In these cases, irradiation of the entire central nervous system is used – the brain, spinal cord, and the area of ​​circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, i.e. the so-called craniospinal axis.
The best choice in such cases is proton therapy. Using proton beam therapy instead of conventional radiotherapy can reduce the side effects that significantly impair a child’s quality of life and the tolerability of life-saving treatments. Therefore, it is possible to carry out therapy in full and without short-term and long-term consequences for the growing organism.
Irradiation of the entire craniospinal axis usually takes 9-12 sessions. If tumors from leukemic cells are detected, the child may need 15-18 radiation exposures. Proton irradiation of the CNS significantly increases the chances of recovery in children with neuroleukemia.