September 8, 2014, by Emma Thorne

Ashya King case sparks advice from cancer experts

Leading experts in children’s cancer have published a statement on the appropriate treatment for medulloblastoma brain tumours and the potential effectiveness of proton therapy in response to the Ashya King case.

The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), whose members include Professor Richard Grundy, co-director of The University of Nottingham’s Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC), has aimed to clarify questions over whether proton beam therapy is more effective than standard radiotherapy and whether the procedure reduces side effects in children with brain tumours.

It comes after media reports about Ashya King, the five-year-old brain tumour patient who was removed from Southampton General Hospital by his parents last month after disagreeing with doctors about his treatment. His parents were arrested in Spain on suspicion of child neglect but released after several days in custody.

The full statement from the CCLG is available via its website.

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