The UW Department of Human Oncology is proud to announce that we have been accepted as the 27th participating center in the Pediatric Proton/Photon Consortium Registry (PPCR). The PPCR is a large, international research initiative coordinated through Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Radiation Oncology and is one of the most comprehensive pediatric radiation registries in the world. Established in 2012, the registry collects long‑term clinical outcomes from children and young adults treated with radiation therapy, supporting research aimed at improving both the safety and effectiveness of current and future treatment approaches. As the only participating site in Wisconsin, UW will contribute to, and benefit from, the shared knowledge of an international network dedicated to advancing pediatric radiation care.
The PPCR collects detailed clinical data from patients up to age 22 who receive any form of radiation therapy, including both proton and photon modalities. Although it began as a proton‑specific registry, the program expanded in 2018 to include all radiotherapy patients, allowing representation of a broader range of conditions. With nearly 6,400 patients enrolled across sites in the United States, Canada, and Australia—and a goal of reaching 10,000—the PPCR enables research into both common and rare conditions, including non‑oncologic diagnoses where radiation therapy plays an important role.
For UW patients and families, participation in the registry is completely voluntary. Those who choose to enroll contribute valuable data that helps researchers worldwide better understand the long‑term effects of different radiation modalities, treatment outcomes for rare conditions, and quality‑of‑life trends over time. Eligible patients may enroll once they begin their first day of radiotherapy. We also can enroll patients who were treated in the past before our center joined the PPCR and would have been eligible. All patients will be followed annually, with the option to complete a brief quality‑of‑life survey each year. Participation does not affect a patient’s treatment plan or medical care; instead, it helps inform future advances that may benefit generations of pediatric patients.
UW’s participation in the PPCR strengthens our commitment to excellence in pediatric radiation oncology and enhances our ability to contribute to impactful, long‑term research. We look forward to collaborating with PPCR partners worldwide as we work together to improve outcomes for children and young adults receiving radiation therapy.
Patients and parents who are interested in enrolling in the study or would like more information may contact their UW Health Radiation Oncologist or call Cancer Connect at (608) 915‑0100.