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Pediatric Blood Cancers (Leukemia and Lymphoma)

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Pediatric Blood Cancers (Leukemia and Lymphoma)

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Sylvester’s Alex’s Place

More than simply a treatment site for children with cancer and blood diseases, alex’s place is a space designed to empower our young patients and support their families.

Leukemia and lymphoma are cancers that can affect the bone marrow, blood cells, and the lymphatic system. Leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, affects stem cells, which are made in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside bones). Stem cells mature into many different types of cells.

In children with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells that don’t die when they should. The resulting large number of leukemia cells makes it difficult for other cells to function.

Sylvester’s pediatric cancer care team offers leading-edge therapies based on the latest. Our expert team develops a customized treatment plan to give your child the best possible results.

Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?

Sylvester is an NCI-designated cancer center. The National Cancer Institute has recognized Sylvester for its outstanding work conducting research in its laboratories, treating patients in its clinics and hospitals, and reaching out to medically underserved communities with innovative prevention strategies.

Pediatric blood cancer treatment ranked among the best cancer programs in the country, per U.S. News and World Report. Besides the multidisciplinary care, your child gets individualized care that's tailored to their diagnosis at the genetic level. Your child gets the most effective treatment for their type of cancer.

A multidisciplinary team approach. Your child’s care team includes pediatric cancer doctors, oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, nutritionists, pain management specialists, and other health care professionals to deliver complete care. We focus on minimizing side effects and improving your child’s quality of life during treatment.

Personalized recommendations. We keep you and your child’s goals in mind when developing screening and treatment schedules. Whether there’s a family history of particular cancers or you want to ensure your child’s health long term, you get personalized attention.

Questions? We're here to help.

Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.

Call 1-844-324-HOPE (4673) Request an Appointment

Treatments

  • Chemotherapy (Systemic Medical Therapy)

    Chemotherapy is the main way to treat leukemia and lymphoma. Medicines kill cancer cells, with the goal of putting cancer into remission. In a procedure is called intrathecal chemotherapy, or central nervous system prophylaxis, medicine can be injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to prevent cancer growth and reach cancer cells around the brain and in the nervous system.

  • Cold Cap Therapy to Minimize Hair Loss

    In addition to all the normal questions and fears a child may face with a cancer diagnosis, the prospect of losing one’s hair during chemotherapy is daunting. With this in mind, Sylvester offers FDA-cleared cold cap therapy to minimize hair loss during chemotherapy.

  • Targeted Therapy

    Targeted therapies are designed to attack the molecular changes that make cancer cells grow and spread. They target abnormal protein, and have the potential to be more effective with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.

  • Immunotherapy

    Also called biologic therapy, this type of therapy is available in clinical trials. Immunotherapy can make cancer more visible to your immune system.

  • Stem Cell Transplant with High-Dose Chemotherapy

    If your child’s cancer doesn’t respond to normal treatments, they may need to receive very high doses of chemotherapy. This can remove the damaged cells their system and bone marrow. Then, healthy "starter" cells for new blood cells (stem cells) — either your child’s own cells or from a donor — are injected back in to restore lost blood cells.

  • Psychosocial Support Services

    Sylvester offers a full range of psychological and social support services to help children and their families, including neuropsychological evaluations.

Tests

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)

    This test checks for the number and percentage of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. We will also check the amount of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen.

  • Sedimentation rate

    The sedimentation rate measures the rate at which red blood cells in a blood sample sink to the base of a test tube. The number shows how much inflammation is in the body. Above average rates may be a sign of lymphoma or another condition.

  • Lymph Node Biopsy

    A lymph node biopsy is the surgical removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist (a cellular expert) views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells, including Reed-Sternberg cells (a possible sign of Hodgkin lymphoma).

  • Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

    This procedure makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles, and using a colored dye to look for things like swollen lymph nodes or spleen.

  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

    A PET scan is an imaging test that uses a special radioactive dye (tracer). The dye is injected into a vein in your arm, and your organs and tissues absorb it. If cancer cells are present, they appear brighter than normal cells.

  • Bone Marrow Biopsy

    A small sample of bone marrow is taken from the hipbone or breastbone to look for microscopic signs of cancer.

  • Multigene Tests

    Because no tumor has a single mutation, genomic profiling allows us to identify groups of mutations in a blood sample and create a tumor profile. Your child’s tumor profile helps us determine the most effective treatment and how long they should have treatments like chemotherapy. Their profile may also help predict whether the leukemia is likely to recur and guide treatment accordingly.

Accepted Insurances

Note: Health plans that are currently contracted with UHealth are listed below. However, please check with your insurance provider to verify that UHealth is part of your provider network.

Accepted Insurance