Proton beam therapy (PT) offers improved sparing of normal tissue, thus 
potentially reducing the risk for treatment related late sequelae and induction 
of secondary cancer. In addition, it can be an instrument for intensification of 
local therapy ("dose escalation") for disease currently not sufficiently 
controlled. Up to now, more than 70 000 patients have been treated with PT 
worldwide. In particular, tumors of the ocular fundus, the base of skull and 
prostate were targeted. In recent years an increasing number of children got 
treated, predominantly when suffering from sarcomas or brain tumors. In Europe, 
treatment was applied so far mainly in Switzerland (PSI) or France (Orsay). 
However, availability of particle therapy is about to increase considerably 
within the next years. The German Working Group of paediatric radiation oncology 
APRO=Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pädiatrische Radioonkologie) is currently trying to 
embed PT in the multidisciplinary concepts of the GPOH, and PT experts are 
appointed for each relevant study. In addition, prospective documentation of the 
applied PT is to be performed according to the RISK protocol. Still, it is 
mandatory to reach out for the integration of PT into our cooperative network 
and the multidisciplinary trials. Best practice solutions have to be established 
in order to provide high quality and transparency of any applied particle 
therapy.