For very young patients, cancer treatment needs to be particularly effective but also very sparing, which is why CPT at PSI is specialised in the treatment of children.
Cancer is less prevalent in children than in adults. Nonetheless, in Switzerland alone more than 200 children under the age of 15 develop malignant tumours per year. About half of these children are under the age of six. Leukaemia and brain tumours as well as tumours of the central nerve system are the most frequent types of cancer in this age group. The last two types can generally be treated at PSI.
In principle, the same therapy options are available to children and adults: operation, drug-based therapies and radiation. Cancer treatment of children has progressed significantly over recent years and thanks to these therapies, many children can be cured.
Children suffering from cancer have been treated with proton therapy since 1999. Since 2004, we have also made treatment available to babies and infants.
