Paediatric patients are accepted to the Proton Center for treatment based on a recommendation from a paediatric oncologist. The Prague Proton Center closely cooperates with the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, FN Motol Hospital and the Department of Paediatric Oncology, FN Brno.
If necessary (e.g. if radiation is performed under general anaesthesia), paediatric patients are hospitalised at the University Hospital in Motol and only travel to the Proton Center for radiation.
Despite the fact that proton treatment is painless, we know that an important part of the treatment is the psyche of the child. From the first moment, everything is adapted to the child’s needs as far as possible.
If children are not treated under anaesthesia, they can wait for radiation or follow-up examinations in a children’s room with lots of toys, which does not resemble a hospital. Funny colouring pages and puzzles with “Professor Proton” accompanying them through treatment will provide distraction and guide them through the treatment together with the trained staff.
Each irradiation of a child patient at the Proton Center takes 15 to 90 minutes, most of the time is spent distracting the child, calming him down and adjusting the position for irradiation; the irradiation itself is a matter of a few minutes.
In case of treatment under general anaesthesia, the stay at PTC is extended to approximately 2 to 3 hours, which the child spends together with either parent in the anaesthesiology room and in the recovery room under the supervision of nurses and the physician/anaesthesiologist until the anaesthesia wears off.
Prior to each radiation session, we carefully check the child’s position using X-ray scans, and carry out certain other checks necessary to commence irradiating. At least once a week, the child undergoes check-ups with the physician who will go through the treatment progress with you and check the child’s condition. If the child is not hospitalised, he/she is checked by the paediatric oncologist at the same time during outpatient visits.
