Paediatric malignancies are a challenge for the radiation oncologist due to their rarity, the great variety of histological types, and the complexity of treatment concepts that undergo constant modification. PROS is the only internationally operating society for paediatric radiation oncology.
The objectives of PROS are to set a world-wide standard of excellence with respect to radiation oncology aspects of the care of children and adolescents with cancer, to provide a forum for communication between radiation oncologists, and to exchange information with all involved in the management of paediatric and adolescent cancer.
The Paediatric Radiation Oncology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries working group is part of PROS and also SIOP Global Health Network. This group coordinates LMIC paediatric radiotherapy projects between PROS and other partners such as SIOP, IAEA, WHO and St Jude Global.
PROS LMIC has outlined its objectives:
To map existing services
To increase access and quality of radiotherapy for children and adolescents
To enumerate, engage and educate a global community of providers
To create evidence establishing outcomes of care using adaptive treatment guidelines.
Together the aim is to improve the care and survival of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in line with the WHO objectives of the Global Initiative for Childhood cancer(GICC).