What is External Beam Radiation Therapy?

It is a way to destroy cancer cells.  It destroys cancer cells by using high energy beams to damage the DNA of cells. A machine directs high energy beams through the skin to the tumor inside the body.  The beams will hit both healthy cells and cancer cells.  Healthy cells can heal themselves, but it is hard for cancer cells to heal themselves. This is why radiation therapy is used to treat some cancers.

There are 2 different types of external beam radiation therapy, proton and photon.  Different tumors do better with different types of radiation.  Your Oncology team and the radiation oncologist will talk with you about what is best for your child and their tumor.

Where Does Radiation Therapy Happen?

For patients at Children’s Wisconsin, radiation therapy happens at Froedtert Hospital. Froedtert Hospital is right next to the Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee campus.

How Does My Child Get Started with Radiation Therapy?

You will meet with a doctor trained in radiation therapy, known as a Radiation Oncologist.  They are from Froedtert Hospital but also know how to work children.

How to Prepare for Radiation

Once a radiation treatment is chosen for your child, there are a few steps to do before the first treatment.

Planning visit or Simulation (Sim): This creates the plan for how radiation is given. In the sim a CT will be done. The CT looks at the location of the tumor and where the radiation will go. The areas that the radiation hits are called the radiation field.

This visit will help the care team decide:

1. Exactly where the radiation beams will hit your child’s body.
2. The amount or dose of radiation that will be given during each treatment.
3. The number of radiation treatments needed.
4. If your child needs special positioning devices.

Positioning
Positioning devices are tools to help your child stay in the right position when getting radiation. These may be pads that your child rests on, or a mask to hold their head in the right spot.  Sometimes stickers are placed on the skin to help aim the radiation beams at the right spot.

Getting ready
Getting ready to start radiation may take 1 to 2 weeks.  This is to ensure that the radiation is exact.  The care team will double-check everything many times to be sure it is right for your child.

What Happens During Radiation?

1. The team will get your child into position. They will check everything carefully to be sure all is where it should be. You can be with your child while they are getting settled.
2. You will leave the room, and your child will receive radiation. This usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

It is not safe for other people to be in the room with them while the radiation beam is on because it exposes them to radiation as well.  Even though you cannot be in the room with your child, you can still see and talk with them. There is a camera and microphone in the treatment room.

What if My Child Has a Hard Time Holding Still?

It is very important that your child holds perfectly still for their radiation treatment.  This is why positioning tools are used.  If your child is young or unable to stay still, they will need sedation.  Sedation is when medicine is given so they are asleep during radiation. This helps them to keep still.

Your care team will work together to make sure that your child is as comfortable as possible.  If you have any questions about external beam radiation, you can talk with anyone from your care team.

What Are Some Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy can cause some side effects.  The side effects will depend on what area of the body is getting radiation. The radiation oncologist will talk with you about what side effects your child may have based on the treatment.

Often children will:

• Feel more tired
• Have hair loss
• Get an upset stomach
• Have dry skin or skin problems

If your child has skin problems, it is important to only use soaps and creams or lotions that the radiation oncology team says are okay.  Check their skin each day. Tell the care team if you see any changes with their skin.