Why Refer to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology?

Pediatric hematologists/oncologists diagnose, treat and provide assistance in the management of blood disorders and cancers of infants, children and adolescents. Because the treatment for children with blood disorders and cancer is so different than that for adults, it is particularly important to have a pediatric specialist in these areas.

According to guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist typically provides treatment for the following conditions:

• Childhood cancers, including leukemias, lymphomas, brain tumors, muscle, soft tissue and bone tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, germ cell tumors and other cancers in children
• Diseases of the blood cells, including disorders of white cells, red cells and platelets
• Bleeding disorders, including ITP, hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease and disorders of excessive blood clotting

A Multispecialty Approach to Care

As a teaching hospital, we help to train medical students, pediatric interns and residents, in addition to conducting a fellowship program.

In addition, our team works closely with other pediatric subspecialties and departments at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, including neurology and neurosurgery, infectious disease, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, nutrition services, pathology, radiology and child life services to provide coordinated, comprehensive and kid-friendly care.

Supporting our team is one of the premier sedation and pain prevention teams in the nation for preventing pain and anxiety during invasive procedures or difficult scans and tests. Also vital to the department is the Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (PORT), a volunteer family support network offering accessible resources to families of children battling cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.