Pediatric blood and cancer care at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital
Board-certified pediatric oncologists and hematologists at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital have the expertise to diagnose, treat and manage childhood cancer, blood disorders and bone marrow failure. We deliver highly specialized and compassionate care when families need it most. By sharing best practices and the latest in cancer treatment and research, we bring the best of pediatric cancer care to your family.
Diagnosing childhood cancer and blood disorders
Listening and compassion are important parts of every appointment. We start with a discussion about your child, talking through any questions and concerns. At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, your child and family have a highly experienced multispecialty team dedicated to your child’s care. Your child’s care team uses advanced testing and imaging to diagnose your child’s condition.
Our care teams deliver highly specialized care for childhood cancers and blood disorders, including:
- Anemia (low level of red blood cells)
- Blood disorders, such as neutropenia or thrombocytopenia
- Bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other rare bleeding disorders
- Blood clotting disorders, including blood clots such as DVT, pulmonary embolism and stroke
- Bone and spine cancer or tumors
- Brain cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Sarcoma
- Sickle cell disease and disorders of the red blood cells
- Tumors
- Other rare childhood cancers and blood disorders
A cancer or blood disorder diagnosis can be difficult. We provide supportive, compassionate care to your child and family. From your first appointment, your care team connects the dots for your child’s care – helping you schedule appointments and answering your questions – big and small.
Throughout treatment, your child may have appointments with many different specialists. We try to schedule appointments on the same day to make getting care easier for your family. You’ll see your child’s doctors collaborating and working together. This coordination of care allows your child's doctors to deliver highly personalized care for the whole child. Your child can meet with their doctors, get tests and receive treatment, including chemotherapy and blood transfusions, all on the same campus.
Advanced treatment options for childhood cancer and blood disorders
Your child may have a combination of treatments as part of their care plan. At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, your child and family are connected to some of the most advanced treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials.
-
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended as part of your child’s care plan to remove a cancerous tumor and the surrounding tissues. Whenever possible, pediatric surgeons use minimally invasive procedures. Minimally invasive surgical techniques use small incisions and may help shorten their recovery.
-
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a medication that helps destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells. Your child’s care team explains the type of chemotherapy your child is receiving and discusses any side effects. During treatment, your child’s care team monitors your child for new or changing side effects and helps them feel as comfortable as possible.
-
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells. This treatment may be given before surgery or chemotherapy to help reduce the size of cancer tumors. Before treatment, your child’s care team explains what to expect and helps your child stay comfortable during treatment. And your child’s doctor works closely with you and your child’s care team to monitor for side effects.
-
Blood disorder clinic
Our experienced specialists and care teams diagnose and treat children with blood disorders, such as anemia, ITP, neutropenia, and bone marrow failure syndromes.
Our goal is to help your child live a healthier and more active life. Through the blood disorder clinic, your family will find all the care you need in one place:- Advanced treatment options for blood disorders
- Yearly checkup with a pediatric hematologist
- Dental, orthopedic and physical therapy evaluation
- Activities to promote self-expression and develop coping skills
- Opportunities to meet families with similar experiences
- Support from social workers and connection to other support services
Whether your child needs routine or more advanced care for a blood disorder, our care team is ready to deliver the care your family needs.
-
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy stimulates your child’s immune system to help destroy cancer cells. This treatment can also help control side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
-
Clinical trials
Your child’s doctor may recommend a clinical trial as part of their care plan. Clinical trials may provide more options for care, especially when cancer is not responding to traditional treatments. As part of the Children's Oncology Group, a clinical trials group supported by the National Cancer Institute, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital offers some of the most recent clinical trials available.
Supportive care for your child and family
Children don’t stop being children when they are diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder. While your child is getting treatment, they may spend a lot of time in our care. Our cancer center is designed to be a home away from home – with comfortable spaces for your family to spend time together. We understand that family can be the best medicine of all. Social interactions and having parents, siblings and grandparents close by are an important part of the healing process. You’re encouraged to be as involved in your child’s care as possible.
Child life specialists use creative arts — from dance and singing to playtime and social activities — to support your child’s wellness. And if your child is in school, our care teams help them balance their school assignments with their treatments and recovery care. Social workers, psychologists, counselors and palliative care specialists also support and care for your child and family, if you need us.