Chronological Analysis of Acute Hematological Outcomes after Proton and Photon Beam Craniospinal Irradiation in Pediatric Brain Tumors

Purpose This study aimed to compare the early hematological dynamics and acute toxicities between proton beam craniospinal irradiation (PrCSI) and photon beam craniospinal irradiation (PhCSI) for pediatric brain tumors. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with pediatric brain tumors who received craniospinal irradiation (CSI). The average change in hemoglobin levels (Delta Hb(avg)), absolute lymphocyte counts (Delta ALC(avg)), and platelet counts (Delta PLTavg) from baseline values was evaluated and compared between the PrCSI and PhCSI groups at 1 and 2 weeks after the initiation of CSI, 1 week before and at the end of radiotherapy, and 3-4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy using t test and mixed-model analysis. Results The PrCSI and PhCSI groups consisted of 36 and 30 patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in Delta Hb(avg) between the two groups at any timepoint. However, Delta ALC(avg) and Delta PLTavg were significantly lower in the PhCSI group than in PrCSI group at every timepoint, demonstrating that PrCSI resulted in a significantly lower rate of decline and better recovery of absolute lymphocyte and platelet counts. The rate of grade 3 acute anemia was significantly lower in the PrCSI group than in in the PhCSI group. Conclusion PrCSI showed a lower rate of decline and better recovery of absolute lymphocyte and platelet counts than PhCSI in the CSI for pediatric brain tumors. Grade 3 acute anemia was significantly less frequent in the PrCSI group than in the PhCSI group. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these results.