PublicationInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
November 1, 2021
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This study examined the feasibility of reducing general anesthesia use among pediatric patients undergoing radiation therapy to mitigate associated short-and long-term risks.
This study examined the feasibility of reducing general anesthesia use among pediatric patients undergoing radiation therapy to mitigate associated short-and long-term risks. The team of researchers reviewed prospectively-collected data on pediatric patients treated with proton therapy from the Pediatric Proton/Photon Consortium Registry (PPCR), representing a cohort of more than 3,000 patients – who range in age from 0 – 21 years old and were treated at 17 proton therapy centers across the United States from 2001-2021. The study determined that age and receipt of craniospinal irradiation (CSI) were the most important predictors of anesthesia use with proton therapy.