Children’s Cancer Hospital NEWSLETTER FROM THE DIVISION OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER • • • • • SUMMER • 2006 Children’s Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center: The George Foreman Pediatric and Adolescent Inpatient Unit Robin Bush Child and Adolescent Clinic Kim’s Place R. E. (Bob) Smith Research Facility Our Mission is to treat the whole child, not just the cancer. Each patient has a team of treatment specialists to address any cancerrelated issues, whether they are medical, psychological or developmental. Treatments are designed for minimal interference to your child’s normal routine. Because a familiar face means so much to a child, they will see the same physician throughout their treatment. Patients and families always know who “their” doctor is. We also make sure that life after cancer is the best it can be. Follow-up programs monitor and manage any side effects of cancer or its treatments. Counseling and support groups help the parents and the child overcome any fears and concerns. At the Children’s Cancer Hospital, kids rule–not cancer. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Contact us at 713-792-5410 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (M–F) and after hours at 713-792-7090 Request the On-Call Pediatric Oncology Attending We’re on the Web! www.mdanderson.org/children Treating Solid Tumors at the Children’s Cancer Hospital...a Team Approach • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Physicians and nurses in the solid tumor group at the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson take a team approach to treating their young sarcoma patients. Team members share advances and innovative approaches such as PET-CT fusion imaging in treating sarcomas. This improved visual method of monitoring therapy helps physicians communicate with families about decisions concerning treatment interventions. With the PET-CT fusion imaging, Peter Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., routinely uses MIMvista, a program that generates color fusion images of PET and CT scans on the same day that scans are done. For patients with complicated situations, the PET-CT fusion images serve as tie-breakers, helping Dr. Anderson to facilitate resolution of “analysis-paralysis” and to develop treatment strategies using M. D. Anderson resources. Winston Huh, M.D., checks on his patient to monitor the child’s side effects from treatment. Huh is involved in studies of long-term side effects of treatment in children. Communication between doctor and patient is important when determining the best treatment plan. Peter Anderson, M.D.,Ph.D., takes time to discuss the novel therapies at M. D. Anderson for pediatric patients with osteosarcoma. According to Dr. Anderson, MIMvista PET-CT fusion is an important advance in several respects including: •PET-CT provides pictures of the tumor that make it easier to communicate local control strategies “at-a-glance” with patients, families, referring physicians, surgeons, radiation therapists and interventional radiologists. •PET-CT offers rapid standard uptake value data concerning location and intensity of tumor activity. •Before and follow-up scans can show continuing response and help decide treatment effectiveness. Recently, a publication by Dr. Anderson and Peggy Pearson, pediatric advanced practice nurse, highlighted solid tumor treatment principles and some innovative new approaches in treating sarcomas at M. D. Anderson. (“Novel Therapeutic continued Treating Solid Tumors continued from page 1 Peggy Pearson, P.N.P, checks in with a patient completing her last round of chemotherapy. Approaches in Pediatric and Young Adult Sarcomas,” Current Oncology Reports 2006; 8:310-315. To request a PDF of the article, e-mail Pete Anderson, [email protected], or Peggy Pearson, mpearson@ mdanderson.org.) Another member of the solid tumor team, Andrea Hayes-Jordan, M.D., uses an improved surgical treatment paradigm for cancers in the abdomen. The treatment involves aggressive surgery, then continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) of chemotherapy. This “shake and bake” procedure eradicates microscopic disease and offers hope for patients with desmoplastic small round cell tumors. She has seen success with the surgery, with a recent patient out of the hospital within a week after the operation. This fall, the child will enroll in the first grade with no evidence of disease. Doctors and researchers at the Children’s Cancer Hospital continuously seek out novel therapies that will improve outcomes for pediatric patients. Andrea Hayes-Jordan, M.D., has been successful in redeveloping an aggressive adult surgery for treatment of young patients. Representing the Children’s Cancer Hospital, Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D., left, gave two talks in Heidelberg, Germany in June. One, a basic science talk, “Protein Lysate Array Assessment of Therapeutic Targets in Sarcoma,” was presented at the 2nd International Congress on the Molecular Staging Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D., takes his job seriously, but isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and meet patients on their level. of Cancer. In addition, he gave a clinical presentation, “Advanced Care and Research in Relapsed and Refractory Pediatric Sarcomas: The M. D. Anderson Experience,” to the pediatric oncology group at the University of Heidelberg. The clinical presentation highlighted current efforts to use specific boneseeking therapy for osteosarcoma bone metastases with samarium; use of proton therapy to improve radiation treatment of young people; interventional radiology to “cook” tumors in the liver, bones, or chest wall using radiofrequency ablation; and novel agents such as Imm-Ther in Ewing’s sarcoma; and targeted treatments such as Avastin, and aerosol L9NC. Cynthia Herzog, M.D., uses an aerosol L9NC with temozolomide protocol offering a number of novel and patient-friendly features. In this protocol, the patient receives instruction at M. D. Anderson about nebulization and lung function testing. The first treatment supervision is actually done outside in the gazebo next to the M. D. Anderson Faculty Center. Monitoring of lung function is done daily using a small device (Spirotel)that records pulmonary function test parameters and then sends the data directly to the hospital over the telephone. L9NC study patients can get aerosol chemotherapy at home, which results in fewer pediatric oncology visits. The treatment paradigm is completely compatible with attending school full time. Winston Huh, M.D., and Louise Strong, M.D., are participating in national studies of long-term side effects of cancer therapy in children. This is an important effort since one of every 900 adults are currently survivors of childhood cancer. Dr. Huh also will become the team point person for developing combined modality treatment plans involving proton therapy in combination with chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas in young people. Since proton radiation has minimal entrance and exit doses, a higher dose can be given to the tumor with fewer areas of growth in children getting unnecessary radiation and undesirable long-term effects. Maritza Salazar-Abshire, R.N., works closely with patient and doctor to oversee the daily administration of treatment and monitor its side effects. Additionally, there are a number of current efforts to make cancer therapy for children and young people at M. D. Anderson more effective, predictable, with less hospitalization and fewer side effects. These include outpatient high-dose methotrexate, continuous infusion ifosfamide/mesna with portable pumps permitting school attendance, and use of aerosol L9NC with temozolomide or irinotecan with temozolomide for relapsed and high-risk Ewing’s sarcoma. Although doxorubicin is a highly effective and commonly used drug in oncology, there are several new improvements for patients getting the drug. These include use of Zinecard for cardioprotection and outpatient administration, substitution with Doxil to reduce cardiotoxicity risk (and keep hair, too!), and prevention and/or reduction of mouth sores using glutamine suspension. The glutamine suspension was invented by Dr. Anderson and was submitted as the first electronic New Drug Application (Saforis; MGI Pharma) to the FDA in May 2005. FDA approval is anticipated in fall 2006. Since patients, referring physicians and families are often overburdened with too much information, Dr. Anderson’s solid tumor team works to organize complex care efficiently. A number of one-page summary documents are available on flash drives or can be e-mailed to physicians, nurses and families to ensure that everyone involved in the treatment stays on the same page. The treatment documents include a one-page patient summary and an editable PDF calendar. Dr. Anderson shared his hands-on approach in a recent article written with Maritza Salazar-Abshire, RN (“Improving Outcomes in Difficult Bone Cancers Using Multimodality Therapy Including Radiation: Physician and Nursing Perspectives,” Current Oncology Reports, 2006, in press). For more information about non-neural solid tumor treatment and other pediatric cancers at the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson, go online to www.mdanderson.org/children. It’s cancer-free and back to college for this patient of Cynthia Herzog, M.D., here for a follow-up appointment. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• How to Approach a Skin Lesion in Children and Adolescents by Cynthia Herzog, M.D. What is melanoma and skin cancer? Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma are all types of skin cancer. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigmented cells but is not always dark in color. Who gets melanoma or skin cancer? Melanoma is most commonly found in older adults, and the incidence is increasing due to increased sun exposure. Melanoma is rare in children but does occur and should be considered in the diagnosis of skin lesions in children. If basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed in a child, the child should be evaluated for basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome). What can one do to protect against melanoma or skin cancer? Avoidance of sun exposure by staying out of the sun during the middle of the day, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen helps to prevent melanoma in adults and possibly even adolescents. Except for rare cases, such as patients with Xeroderma pigmentosa, sun exposure has not been shown to play a role in melanoma in young children. What are the warning signs of melanoma or skin cancer in a child/adolescent? The typical signs of melanoma in adults include skin lesions that change color, grow rapidly, have irregular borders, bleed or itch. Although similar signs may be present in a child/adolescent, it is not uncommon for the lesion to be amelanonotic and have a wart-like appearance. How to treat skin cancer: The preferred treatment for melanoma is surgical resection. Frequently the lesion is initially removed with a small biopsy; a reexcision to obtain good margins is always needed. Depending on the depth of the melanoma, biopsy of the sentinel lymph node(s) should also be performed. If the melanoma has spread beyond the primary tumor, further therapy may be indicated, including biologic agents (interferon, IL2), chemotherapy or vaccine therapy. Pediatric Clinical Trials To learn more about the many different clinical trials offered at the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson, check the “Clinical Trials” Web page at www.mdanderson.org/children. Because other new trials and therapeutic options are always being developed, please contact our physicians at the same Web site. Physicians and their specialties can be found at the same Web site on the “Our Doctors & Staff” Web page. DIVISION OF PEDIATRICS Academic Office: 713-792-6620 Division Head Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D. Deputy Division Head Robert Wells, M.D. Adolescent/Young Adult Michael Rytting, M.D. Martha Askins, Ph.D. Bone Marrow Transplantation Laurence Cooper, M.D., Ph.D. Laura Worth, M.D., Ph.D. Demetrios Petropoulos, M.D. Brain/Neural Tumors Joann Ater, M.D. Johannes Wolff, M.D. Vidya Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D. Peter Zage, M.D., Ph.D. Endocrinology Steven Waguespack, M.D. Hematology W. Keith Hoots, M.D. Deborah Brown, M.D. Nydra Rodriquez, M.D. Late Effects Alan Fields, M.D. Winston Huh, M.D. Leukemia/Lymphoma Seth Corey, M.D., MPH Joya Chandra, Ph.D. Patrick Zweidler-McKay, M.D., Ph.D. Cesar Nunez, M.D. Irma Ramirez, M.D. Michael Rytting, M.D. Robert Wells, M.D. Nephrology Joshua Samuels, M.D., MPH Neurology/Neurofibromatosis Bartlett Moore, Ph.D. John Slopis, M.D., MPH Non-Neural Solid Tumors Peter M. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. Cynthia Herzog, M.D. Winston Huh, M.D. Norman Jaffe, M.D. Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D. Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D. Critical Care Alan Fields, M.D. Rodrigo Mejia, M.D. Carroll King, M.D., J.D. Jose Cortes, M. D. Pediatric Surgery Richard Andrassy, M.D. Kevin Lally, M.D. Charles Cox, M.D. Andrea Hayes-Jordan, M.D. Neurosurgery Raymond Sawaya, M.D. Fred Lang, M.D. Jeffrey Weinberg, M.D. Psychology Martha Askins, Ph.D. Bartlett Moore, Ph.D. Rhonda S. Robert, Ph.D. New Patient Line: 713-792-5410 After Hours: 713-792-7090 Community Support for the Children’s Cancer Hospital It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. In many ways, the Children’s Cancer Hospital is like that African proverb — it takes a community to support this hospital and to help it grow and thrive. From large to small, donations come to the Children’s Cancer Hospital, reminding us that there are many people out there encouraging our institution and its physicians as they work to conquer cancer. The team’s 2006 Pedal Partner, Emily Parker, 10, a neurofibromatosis patient at M. D. Anderson who lives in Sugar Land, her physician, John M. Slopis, M.D., and Leslie Christison, RN, who served on the team’s support crew during their eight-day trek across the country, were also part of the celebration. Since 2005, Cheniere’s Making Cancer History team has raised approximately $170,000 for neurofibramotosis research at M. D. Anderson. The Hyundai Hope on Wheels program with Houston area Huundai dealers donated $50,000 to the Children’s Cancer Hospital to promote pediatric cancer research. Representing the Jori Zemel Children’s Bone Cancer Foundation, Nina and Brook Zemel (center) presented a check for $60,000 earmarked for pediatric osteosarcoma research to (L to R) Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D.; Norman Jaffe, M.D.; Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D.; Pete Anderson, M. D., Ph.D.; and Laura Nelson, postdoctoral fellow. Jori Zemel Children’s Bone Cancer Foundation recently donated $60,000 toward childhood osteosarcoma research at M. D. Anderson. Nina and Brook Zemel, began their grassroots effort to raise funds for this research area after their daughter, Jori Zemel, died at age 14. To date, the foundation has raised more than $230,000 through donations and the annual Jori Zemel Festival and Cancer Walk to support childhood bone cancer research at M. D. Anderson. In 2005 the foundation created a fellowship to study the disease; fellow Laura Nelson, M.D., is working under the supervision of Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D. Eagle Scout Project Benefits Pediatrics Justin Hajek’s recent Eagle Scout project benefited pediatric patients at the Children’s Cancer Hospital. Justin collected PlayStation games and DVDs, and raised over $1,000 through donations and a car wash. He used these funds to purchase additional games and DVDs, doubling his original goal of 50 games and 100 DVDs. Hajek is a Boy Scout with Troop 1424 in Missouri City and is the son of Richard Hajek, Department Eagle Scout Justin Hajek, who developed his Eagle service project to benefit pediatric patients at the Children’s of Health Disparities Research, and Misty Hajek, Department of Cancer Hospital, presents his donation to Renee Hunte (R) and Mary Emiola (L) with the Child Life staff. Immunology, at M. D. Anderson. Race Across America Cheneire’s Making Cancer History Race Across America (RAAM) team netted more than $70,000 for neurofibromatosis research at the Children’s Cancer Hospital after a 3,000-mile bike ride from San Diego, Calif., to Atlantic City, N.J. To celebrate, RAAM team members Kirk Gentle and Chris Shaw hosted a “Christmas in July” party for pediatric patients and their families. The Hoglund Foundation PediDome was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a decorated Christmas tree, stockings filled with goodies and a personal appearance by Santa himself. As a special gift to the Children’s Cancer Hospital, the team has donated MedWagons, special IV stands to enhance mobility for pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy. Patient Emily Parker with Santa (L to R) Astrid Camacho, Brendon Farmer, Armani Artis, John Jacob Ramirez and Lauren Henley, all patients at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, have their handprints on this Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. Since 1998, Hyundai dealers across the country, with Hyundai Motor America, have supported pediatric cancer research through the Helping Kids Fight Cancer program, donating more than $6 million nationally. This year Hyundai aligned with CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. In conjunction with their program, a Santa Fe SUV traveled the country gathering handprints from kids who are battling and beating all types of pediatric cancers. Westside Tennis Club Events Linda and Jim McIngvale of Westside Tennis Club put the fast serve on philanthropy during the 2006 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships April 10-16, scheduling a number of special events benefiting pediatric, uterine and gastric cancer research at M. D. Anderson. Special events for pediatrics included a dinner reception honoring President George H.W. and Barbara Bush, which raised almost $20,000 for the Robin Bush Child and Adolescent Clinic at the Children’s Cancer Hospital. The clinic is named in memory of the daughter the Bushes lost to leukemia in 1953, two months before her 4th birthday. In the midst of the U.S. Tennis Association activities, M. D. Anderson’s OR Nursing Tennis Team – Brian Jahrsdoerfer, Michel Lavoie, Peter Okpokpo and Warner Tse – broke the Guinness World Record in doubles, playing for 48 hours, 15 minutes and raising approximately $15,000 for pediatric cancer research at the Children’s Cancer Hospital. M. D. Anderson’s OR Nursing Tennis Team – (L to R) Brian Jahrsdoerfer, Michel Lavoie, Warner Tse and Peter Okpokpo – broke the Guinness World Record in playing tennis doubles and raised money for pediatric cancer research at the Children’s Cancer Hospital at the same time. “Retirement,” says Norman Jaffe, M.D., “is not for the fainthearted.” However, for Jaffe and his colleague Irma Ramirez, M.D., this fall retirement is a reality. The two doctors have watched pediatric care at M. D. Anderson grow from a small specialty into its own Children’s Cancer Hospital. Jaffe, particularly, remembers a year without interns, residents and Fellows and only the pediatric staff, which included Ramirez, to carry the load. Long hours resulted in a unique esprit de corps and left him with happy memories of collegial interaction. As the two prepare for new adventures, they both feel a sense of pride in the contributions they have made to pediatric oncology and specifically to M. D. Anderson and its Children’s Cancer Hospital. Irma Ramirez, M.D., retires this fall after 30 years of service in her chosen field of pediatric hematologyoncology with a concentration in childhood lymphomas and leukemias. Dr. Ramirez began her medical career at University Hospital at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico, having also completed her post-graduate training at this institution including a fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology. Dr. Ramirez then joined the faculty of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. In June 1976, she came to M. D. Anderson for a yearlong training in pediatric hematology-oncology. The year turned into three and she was offered a faculty position. She has RETIREMENT enjoyed watching the small department that was pediatrics become the Children’s Cancer Hospital and says that her memories are numerous. “I have not one or two special memories, but numerous ones of the pure and lovely faces of the children who have been my inspiration and strength,” she says. “Certainly, I will miss my patients.” Dr. Ramirez looks forward to spending more time with her family here and in Puerto Rico. Norman Jaffe, M.D., has specialized in pediatric hematology-oncology for 28 years, coming to M. D. Anderson from the DanaFarber/Harvard Cancer Center in Boston and assuming the titles of Chief, Outpatient Clinics; Chief, Solid Tumor Section; Chief, Long Term Surveillance Clinic; and Professor of Pediatrics. Known to many osteosarcoma patients as the leader of the annual rehabilitation ski trip to Park City, Utah, Jaffe has provided hope and motivation for both patients and their families who go on this trip. In its 25-year history, the ski trip has expanded to include other disabilities such as blind and deaf skiers, and all the children return to Houston knowing that they have conquered the mountains. Jaffe is appreciative that his therapeutic discoveries in the treatment of bone tumors, particularly osteosarcoma, have been recognized by his colleagues. With his newfound free time, he expects that he will continue to devote time to learning and teaching. He has been asked to write a monograph on osteosarcoma and is hopeful to have the resources to do this. But, most of all, he anticipates more time to be spent traveling to exciting new places with his wife and visiting his children and grandchildren more frequently. ••• 3 Check it Out The Children’s Cancer Hospital Suspicion of Cancer Program W hen a physician suspects that a patient might have cancer, a swift and accurate diagnosis is important. When the patient is a child, the stress level raises a notch and increases the significance of both. For that reason, the Children’s Cancer Hospital has established a new service, the Suspicion of Cancer Program, partnering with community physicians to help with early detection of pediatric cancer. The Suspicion of Cancer Program is designed to be a resource for physicians to help detect evidence of cancer in young patients. Although improvements in medical technology now help diagnose the disease in earlier stages, this differentiation is still difficult. Beginning Oct. 1, the new program will provide access to Children’s Cancer Hospital pediatric oncologists on a 24-hour basis every day of the week. Immediate help is usually available; if not, a specialist will return the call within a brief time period. As a result, a child will normally be seen either the same day or the next day for diagnostic consultation and help with treatment planning if desired. In addition, the patient access staff can work quickly with the family for insurance authorization. Physicians with questions about their young patients can expect doctor-to-doctor conversations with fast results to help determine the existence or absence of the disease and recommendations for the best course of action for the type of cancer diagnosed. If desired, patients may selfrefer or be referred by their primary care physician to M. D. Anderson. There is a team of experts for each cancer type treated at the Children’s Cancer Hospital: leukemia, brain tumors and other CNS neoplasms, melanoma and skin cancers, softtissue sarcomas, germ-cell, trophoblastic and other gonadal tumors, malignant bone tumors, lymphomas and reticuloendothelial neoplasms, neuroblastoma, renal tumors, retinoblastoma, hepatic tumors and endocrine tumors. In addition, M. D. Anderson physicians treat non-cancerous conditions such as aplastic anemia and neurofibromatosis. This diseasespecific focus means that a child will benefit from the combined expertise in treating both common and rare cancers. At M. D. Anderson, the whole child is treated, not just the cancer. In addition to a team of specialists to address medical, psychological and developmental issues related to cancer or its treatments, each patient has access to counseling and support groups, an in-house education program and follow-up programs that monitor and manage any long-term side effects. To access the Suspicion of Cancer Program at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, call 1-888-KIDCHEK (1-888-543-2435). The Drug Development Process ust like children, drugs go through phases. Bringing a drug to market in Jdynamic the United States, a process that averages 12 years, is a complex and procedure involving thousands of people and billions of dollars. Once a molecular entity is discovered, it undergoes preclinical testing (average length 3.5 years) in the laboratory and in animals to determine what activity, if any, exists against a particular disease. Following the determination of an agent’s safety and therapeutic potential, an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) is filled with the FDA. –Susannah Koontz, Once an IND is approved, testing in humans PharmD begins with Phase I clinical trials (average length one year). Typically, these trials involve 20-80 healthy volunteers. However, in the setting of cancer, study subjects in Phase I trials are often patients with active disease who have failed other conventional treatment modalities. Objectives of Phase I testing are to determine the drug’s safety profile, including the most appropriate dose, and to characterize the drug’s pharmacokinetic profile. Phase II trials (average length 2 years) Drug Corner Proton Therapy For Pediatric Cancer are expanded to include approximately 100-300 patients. These studies explore a drug’s effectiveness against a disease compared to a placebo or other standard treatment, such as in the setting for cancer patients. Phase III testing (average length 3 years) is an expansion of Phase II trials as it increases patient participation by ten-fold and continues to monitor a drug’s efficacy and safety on a larger scale. Once clinical testing is completed, a New Drug Application (NDA), which summarizes data collected in all phases of testing, can be submitted to the FDA for review. The review process averages 2.5 years and is the final step before drug commercialization commences. Finally, postmarketing surveillance, employed to identify adverse drug reactions, and Phase IV studies, conducted to evaluate a drug’s long-term effects, are performed. In the end, for approximately every 10,000 compounds evaluated for therapeutic potential, only one makes it to market. At the Children’s Cancer Hospital, we have a dedicated team of researchers and clinicians working together to cure childhood cancer by bringing new drugs to market as well as examining the utility of currently approved agents. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• M. D. Anderson takes a patient-centered approach to treating children with cancer. R adiation oncologists, surgeons, pediatric oncologists, radiologists and pathologists work together to plan a course of treatment unique to each patient. The Radiation Oncology team at M. D. Anderson now offers a new treatment modality called proton beam therapy. Cancer is the leading natural cause of death among children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 14 years. In 2001, there were 8,600 new cases of cancer among children and about 1,600 cancer deaths. Approximately 40 percent of newly diagnosed cancers are leukemias and lymphomas; the rest are made up of various solid tumors such as brain tumors, bone and soft tissue sarcomas and kidney tumors. Most solid tumors are treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. While conventional radiation therapy with X-ray beams is an effective treatment, it can produce certain long-term side effects in some children, such as a decrease in bone and soft tissue growth in the treated area, hormonal deficiencies, intellectual impairment and, occasionally, second tumors. Proton therapy offers another way to deliver a high radiation dose to a tumor. Protons deposit their radiation differently than X-rays. Compared to an X-ray beam, a proton beam has a low “entrance dose” (the dose delivered from the surface of the skin to the front of the tumor), a high dose designed to cover the entire tumor and no “exit dose” beyond the tumor. This unique characteristic, combined with sophisticated image guidance, gives proton therapy the ability to deliver a radiation dose in a precise manner, thus minimizing damage to the surrounding normal tissue, and thereby reducing the long-term side effects to many critical structures. It is estimated that proton The Children’s Cancer Hospital Newsletter is an educational resource for physicians interested in the treatment, research and prevention of pediatric cancers, produced quarterly from the Division of Pediatrics at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Division of Pediatrics 1515 Holcombe, Box 853 Houston, Texas 77030 therapy could also significantly reduce the risk of second tumors, when compared to X-ray therapy. This approach may translate into better local control of the disease, higher survival rates and improved quality of life as the treated children grow to adulthood. M. D. Anderson oncologists are world leaders in the development of emerging treatment strategies and technology. Our focus has always been on providing the best care for our patients, with an eye toward continued improvements of this care for the future. Because so much clinical research is conducted here, M. D. Anderson patients are among the first anywhere to benefit from emerging treatment strategies and technology. M. D. Anderson continues to be a leader in the care of children with cancer. With the addition of proton therapy, we have added another weapon in the fight against this disease. ••• David B. Coe, Division Administrator • Seth Corey, M.D., Medical Advisor Gail Goodwin, Managing Editor We welcome your questions and suggestions. Change of address or other communication regarding this newsletter may be directed to David Coe at 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 087, Houston, TX 77030; 713-792-6620. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 7052 Houston, TX
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