Pediatric Cancer
FHCI Fights Childhood Cancers with Frontline Therapies
There is possibly nothing in the world as frightening as learning that your child suffers from a serious illness. If you or someone close to you has a child diagnosed with cancer, the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is here with a message of hope. Pediatric oncologists (doctors who specialize in children's tumors) have seen survival rates for childhood cancer rise by double digits over the past two decades. According to the National Cancer Institute, much of this dramatic improvement is due to the development of improved therapies at children's cancer centers such as the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at FHCI.
Our Children's Center participates in the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Children's Oncology Group (COG), an internationally recognized network of children's cancer centers that meet strict quality assurance standards. Participation in this group allows our team access to more than 50 of the latest pediatric clinical trials. Recognized as the best audited COG group in the country, our team achieves and maintains the highest quality standards of pediatric oncology treatment. The center is also a designated Children's Medical Services (CMS) center for Hematology/Oncology, and is a recipient of the Lance Armstrong Grant for ongoing community service for children with cancer.
The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases is under the direction of Clifford A. Selsky, PhD, MD, and Fouad Hajjar, MD and is supported by the extensive services of the FHCI. With 16 beds in the hematology/oncology unit at the Florida Children's Hospital, children receive skilled and compassionate care from our pediatric nurses while being able to access comprehensive treatment options.
Why is it important for a family to look for a specialized children's cancer center when a child or adolescent is diagnosed with cancer?
Because childhood cancer is relatively rare, it is important to seek treatment in centers that specialize in the treatment of pediatric cancer. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology agree that a childhood cancer center should be staffed by a team of trained pediatric oncologists and other specialists such as pediatric surgeons, specialist surgeons such as neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, consulting pediatric specialists, psychiatrists, oncology social workers, nutritionists, and others who have expertise in treating children and adolescents with cancer. Working as a team, these professionals offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
As an integral part of the Florida Hospital for Children, our specially trained staff works closely with hundreds of families every year, helping them to feel safe, comfortable, and to follow as normal a daily routine as possible.
FHCI Children's Center offers the latest technologies, therapies and current clinical trials
The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases uses frontline therapies to treat many cancers and blood diseases and offer the most current clinical trial options available. Some of the more common diseases we treat include:
- Brain tumors
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Solid tumors
Pediatric subspecialty support, pediatric radiation therapy, clinical pharmacy and laboratory services, and psychological and social support services are provided on-site to offer patients and their families a full continuum of care. The center also has its own laboratory in office, in order to provide quick turn-around for blood examinations and counts.
For more information, visit FloridaHospitalforChildren.com.
