Rady Children’s Proton Therapy Program for Pediatric Patients
Rady Children’s Health, in partnership with California Protons, offers proton therapy and treatment options for children for pediatric cancers and non-cancerous tumors. We are the only program in California providing the most advanced pencil-beam scanning proton therapy for pediatric patients with brain, solid tumors, and lymphomas.
See the tumors and pediatric cancers treated here.
Advantages for Children
Proton therapy has been successfully used with children for more than 20 years. It is considered the ideal form of radiation for pediatric patients, as it provides a more precise approach to destroying certain tumors and cancers compared to conventional X-ray radiation.
Haisley was 8 when she was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer near her eye. Proton therapy precisely targeted the tumor while protecting her brain and vision — today she’s a cancer survivor with a smile bigger than cancer. Read her story.
The therapy involves the use of a controlled beam of protons to target tumors with control and precision unavailable in other radiation therapies. The targeted delivery of proton energy limits damage to healthy surrounding tissue and allows for a more potent and effective dose of radiation to be used. The pencil beam technology used at the center makes the delivery even more precise.
Less damage to the healthy surrounding tissue is especially important for children, as it means less damage to growing organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs. As a result, long-term complications associated with X-ray therapy are significantly reduced as well, such as growth and hormonal deficiencies and the risk of secondary cancers later in life.
Our board-certified pediatric radiation oncology team includes Iain MacEwan M.D., Parag Sanghvi M.D., and Andrew Chang M.D. Pediatric proton therapy patients, both here in San Diego and referred from out of the area, are followed by our Proton Pediatric Oncology team headed by Jennifer Elster, M.D., during their proton therapy treatment.
In addition, our pediatric proton therapy patient care team that help with pediatric cancer and non-cancerous tumors include certified pediatric oncology nurses, radiation therapists, medical dosimetrists, medical physicists and pediatric anesthesiologists.
Parent & Patient Information
Below you’ll find information on getting started with care, requesting a second opinion, and planning your visit if you’re traveling to us, whether you’re just beginning the process or coming to San Diego from out of the area.
Intake Forms
Getting started is simple. Families can refer their child directly, and providers can submit a clinical referral. Scan a QR code or tap a link below to open the form.
Second Opinions
Not sure if proton therapy is the right path for your child? Our specialists can review your child’s treatment plan from anywhere and share their recommendation — no travel required.
Telemedicine: We are available for second opinions regarding your child’s proton therapy treatment option/plan. Contact us for more information.
Out-of-Area Patients
Traveling to San Diego for care? We help families coming from outside the region handle the details, so you can focus on your child.
If you live outside San Diego County, we can assist you with travel arrangements, lodging and other needs.
For more information on international and out-of-area patient services, please fill out this form or contact Rady Children’s Customer Service and Referral Center at 800-788-9029 or refsvc@rchsd.org.
Take a Virtual Tour
Curious what the center looks like? Step inside before your first visit and take a virtual tour of the California Protons Cancer Therapy Center. You can also learn more about proton therapy for children from The National Association for Proton Therapy.
Contact
Location:
9730 Summers Ridge Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: 858-549-7412
Proton Intake Coordinator: 858-966-1700, ext. 248063
Proton R.N. Coordinator: 858-549-7536