A cancer diagnosis in a child is particularly frightening. The good news is that tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of pediatric cancers. The current overall cancer cure rate in children is now about 70%. With lots of new treatment modalities and clinical study groups, we're seeing great strides in the 21st century. As a result of these advances, today approximately one in every 900 young adults, is a survivor of childhood cancer.

That's why Forum Health Cancer CareCenters value its dedicated pediatric cancer care program, tailored to meet the needs of children, adolescents and families. Guided by our mission, we are committed to improving the likelihood of survival, and the quality of life for children and teens in our community. Primary care physicians can easily refer to our services.

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division at Tod Children's Hospital

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division of Tod Children's Hospital is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art program for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and research of blood diseases and cancer in infants, children and adolescents through the age of 21 years. Our focus is the physical and emotional health of children and families affected by these diseases. Our affiliation with the pediatric oncology program at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland enhances our ability to share case studies with our colleagues. Tumor Conferences teleconferenced between both facilities are designed to discuss patient care between the two interdisciplinary teams.

Your child's comfort is also our primary concern. To improve the quality of your child's life, attention is given to every concern, no matter how small.

Our Team

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology program at Tod Children's Hospital has an active inpatient, as well as, outpatient service, led by pediatric specialist physicians, who work in conjunction with registered pediatric hematology/oncology nurses and other allied health professionals. As a member of the Children's Oncology Group (a national study group), we are able to provide a comprehensive treatment program for the child or adolescent with cancer. Our team directs and coordinates the efforts of pediatric specialists in surgery, radiation therapy, radiology, oncology and psychology with special expertise in cancer. The team works closely with the patient's primary care physician and other doctors to ensure the best-coordinated care.

Nowhere is teamwork more important than in the treatment of a child with cancer.

The complexity of the disease, immediate and long-term, virtually affects all aspects of the child and family's life. It requires the collective expertise of many health care professionals from different disciplines working together for comprehensive care. Our interdisciplinary team, led by board-certified pediatric oncologists, works closely with other board-certified pediatric specialists and sub-specialists on staff at Tod Children's Hospital. Other key members of the team include pediatric nurses, experienced in the care of cancer patients, psychologists, social workers, pastoral care professionals, a patient/community education coordinator and those from Child Life and Education. Specialists from Child Life provide patients and families with various ways of dealing with the stress and challenges they face.

Blood Disorders

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division also offers a full range of services for young patients with blood disorders, such as hemophilia, anemia, sickle cell anemia, abnormal white blood cell and platelet counts and AIDS. Our union with the Great Lakes Regional Hemophilia Foundation Region VI Coordinated Sickle Cell Program makes available the latest treatments and support for patients and their families.

Education and Support

We appreciate the fact that children and families need education and support to meet the challenges of pediatric cancer or blood disorders. Our highly trained professionals strive to provide families with as much information as possible to meet those challenges. We'll even work with your child's home school to keep studies up to date and to provide education to teachers and fellow students, if requested. Our interdisciplinary team also offers individual or group counseling sessions to help you cope through these difficult times. Many self-help support groups can also be accessed through Tod Children's Hospital.