In Pediatric Hematology/Oncology we provide complete hematologic and oncologic services for children with blood disorders and malignant disease.
The Latest Treatment Options
We offer a full range of treatment options in an environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary management of pediatric malignancies. In addition to general oncology, treatment options include:
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Medical Oncology – The latest, most effective chemotherapeutic agents as well as front-line chemotherapy trials and antiangiogenic therapies for children with life-threatening or uncommon vascular anomalies and brain tumors.
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Radiation Oncology – Comprehensive modalities include intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy as well as intraoperative brachytherapy and interstitial and intracavitary treatments.
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Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) –We provide options for treating refractory malignancies, metabolic and hematologic disorders with bone marrow, cord blood and peripheral blood stem cells. Our state-of-the-art Neely Pediatric BMT Unit offers sophisticated services for patients and comfortable accommodations for family members.
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Transfusion Therapy – Our pediatric hematology laboratory offers a full array of testing and is staffed by a technologist expert in phlebotomy of the smallest patients. In conjunction with the Medical Center’s Blood Bank, the Division’s physicians are skilled in the evaluation and management of pediatric patients, performing aggressive pheresis (whole blood exchange) in children as small as 10 kilograms.
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Pediatric Surgery and Neurosurgery – Innovative surgical techniques in the management of complex tumors of the abdomen, chest, extremities, brain, spinal cord and central nervous system.
An Extraordinarily Child-Friendly Environment
Made possible with support from The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care and other generous donors, the newly renovated, 5,000-square-foot outpatient facility at Floating Hospital provides a warm, nurturing environment for pediatric cancer patients and their families, along with age-appropriate distractions to help children receiving treatment. The space includes a bright, cheerful hockey-themed playroom with computers linked to playrooms at other pediatric oncology clinics across the country, enabling young patients to connect with other kids going through similar experiences.
The Neely Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, which opened in 2008, provides a similarly nurturing environment for patients and families. Its design enables patients to interact outside their rooms, and provides same-floor, private guest rooms, kitchen and down time space for parents.
A pediatric sedation suite that’s the first of its kind in the area, opening in 2012, enables physicians and nurses to tailor pain management to the individual needs of each child in a soothing environment complete with high-tech entertainment equipment, all designed to reduce the anxiety often associated with medical procedures. It will be created using a grant from the national Ronald McDonald House Charities. Floating is the only Boston hospital to receive this type of grant.
For more information on Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center, click here.
Research Affiliations and Efforts - Research is under way in coagulation, lymphocyte physiology, red cell disorders, treatment of neuroblastoma, high-grade brain tumors and symptom control.
Watch Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, Michael Kelly, MD discuss what leukemia is, how it's treated and how it may affect your child today and in the long term on our tuftsmedicalcenter.tv website.