Patient Care Programs| Patient Care Programs |
 |
 |
 Excellence in clinical care for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders forms the foundation of the work of the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Pediatric Oncology (childhood and adolescent cancer) defines diseases to include leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors of muscle or bone, kidney and liver tumors, as well as rare childhood cancers. The Division provides a full array of diagnostic and therapeutic services to young people with cancer. The Division is a founding member of the Children's Oncology Group. Pediatric Hematology is the specialty encompassing non-malignant blood diseases and bleeding disorders. In addition, rare illnesses of white blood cell and immune function and disorders of histiocytes (to include Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis) are illnesses treated by our Pediatric Hematology group. Neuro-Oncology is a sub-specialty of Pediatric Oncology concentrating on treatment of children with tumors of the brain or spinal cord. The UAB Pediatric Hematology and Oncology program boasts a nationally recognized program in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology. State of the art cancer and blood disorder therapy increasingly involves innovative use of hematopoietic blood and bone marrow transplantation to administer curative or reparative therapy. The Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program is Alabama's only dedicated, pediatric transplant facility. The UAB Pediatric Developmental Therapeutics Program undertakes new and innovative therapeutic trials for children with cancer. Among these new therapies are targeted anti-cancer molecules, new chemotherapies, immunostimulatory therapy, and even cancer-fighting viruses--among others. These clinical trials give children with recurrent and refractory tumors access to cutting edge treatments. In the process, important advances in the treatment of children with cancer are being made. Many of these treatments may be more tolerable to patients than traditional chemotherapies, and many treatments require only brief hospital stays--if any--so kids can attend school on a regular basis and have a more normal home life when they aren’t here. The Developmental Therapeutics team doesn’t just treat the patient—they work with the patient and their family, making them part of the treatment process. The high cure rate for young people with cancer also leads to the need for a comprehensive Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program which we call the "Taking on Life After Cancer (TLC) Program". The TLC program strives to provide the highest quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. Childhood cancer or a serious blood disorder is a life-altering experience for children, their parents and their families. Optimum care includes not only medical care, but also a focus on the broad psychosocial needs of the child and their family. Our comprehensive Psychosocial Program is known as the "Hope and Cope Program" led by a PhD neuro-psychologist supported by a wide range of health care professionals. The Division's clinical programs are housed in "The Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders" at Children's of Alabama. Clinical facilities include a twenty bed dedicated inpatient hematology-oncology unit (4-Tower), a stand-alone eight bed Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant unit (the Lowder Bone Marrow Transplant Unit), a state of the art clinic facility with sedation rooms, a chemotherapy pharmacy, blood and chemotherapy infusion area and a therapeutic red blood cell pheresis suite (clinic 8). |