Radiotherapy: an Important Treatment Strategy in Childhood Cancer Care

Pediatric cancer treatment primarily involves three methods: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on multiple factors including: age of the kid, tumor type, stage and location. Thus, the treatment process may entail one method, or a combination of methods may be utilized.

The main objective of cancer treatment is to achieve successful outcomes while minimizing the pain and side effects. To accomplish this goal, healthcare professionals should adopt a multidisciplinary approach that demands collaboration among various specialists, such as: oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists.

Many physicians may prefer to avoid radiotherapy in young children due to concerns about potential long-term side effects. However, it’s important to understand that radiotherapy is an imperative treatment strategy for some types of childhood cancers. The decision to use radiotherapy is made on a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Mithra Ghalibafian, head of MAHAK Radiation Oncology Department, highlights several important guidelines for families:

1. One of radiotherapy side effects for children is to lose appetite. But families should be aware that lack of appetite during treatment procedure results in children to get weak, as well as unintended discontinuation of therapy.
2. Timely attendance is of essence for optimal outcomes.

Given that cancer treatments are challenging and painful, it is important for caregivers and family members to be supportive. They should make sure that children and their families do not feel hopeless and loneliness during this difficult time.

MAHAK Radiation Oncology Department is a leading radiotherapy center not only in the country but also in the region. It was the first radiotherapy center in Iran to use Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). It is an advanced technique targeting tumors more precisely, while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.

The total body radiation therapy has also been another well introduced technique at MAHAK Radiation Oncology Department, for the first time in the country.

Furthermore, MAHAK Radiation Oncology Department has been recently equipped with two new highly advanced instruments. These novel instruments enhance beam customization accuracy and improve treatment efficacy.

MAHAK vision to innovation and application of the updated strategies at curing industry, leads it to be a pioneer in pediatric radio-oncology towards providing top-grade care for children suffering from cancer.

For more information about MAHAK Radiation Oncology Department and its latest progressions, click on the following link and check out MAHAK website.