Presentation Description: Radiation therapy for young children with cancer, although curative in many situations, can be associated with significant long term effects including cognitive difficulties, hormonal deficits, organ dysfunction, growth effects, and an elevated risk of second tumors. There is a direct relationship between the incidence and severity of these late effects and the volume of normal tissues irradiated as part of the curative therapy. As a result of prospective trials and the evolution of technology of radiation deliver, the expected incidence and severity of late effects is expected to be significantly less for children managed in 2008 as opposed to children managed in 1973. This presentation reviewed the significant developments that have occurred in these two areas over the last 25 years.

Speaker:

Normand Laperriere, MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology

University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Staff Radiation Oncologist

Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON

Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children