Pediatric Hematology Oncology

Why choose UCLA Health for pediatric hematology oncology?

For decades, our pediatric hematologist oncologists at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital have provided exceptional patient care. We are pioneers in diagnosing and treating childhood cancers and blood disorders. Our experts also study and improve treatments for children with these conditions.

Highlights of our program include:

Treatment from established experts: UCLA Health specialists are continually finding new ways to improve survival rates and decrease complications in children with cancer or blood disorders, or those undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Each year, we see an increasing number of young cancer survivors as a result of our ongoing research and groundbreaking treatments.

Comprehensive team: Our specialists offer interventions to significantly improve the quality of life for children and their families. Child Life Specialists and social workers provide extra support navigating the emotional effects of cancer or blood disorder treatments. A school re-integration specialist helps ensure that children continue to keep up with their classmates throughout and after treatment.

Personalized care: We understand that no two patients or families are alike. We tailor treatment to your child's needs, ensuring that each patient undergoes the treatment that offers the best chances for an optimal outcome.

Research and training: Our physicians stay at the very top of their field, continually training the next generation of leaders. Participation in clinical trials allows eligible patients to access groundbreaking new treatments.  

Our areas of care

Our pediatric hematology oncology team cares for children in several specialized programs, including:

Pediatric Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program

UCLA Health specialists were among the first in the world to perform a successful allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Today, we are one of the longest-running bone marrow transplant programs worldwide. We continue to pioneer techniques that expand children's access to bone marrow transplants. Learn more about bone marrow and stem cell transplants. 

Pediatric Blood Disorders Program

Our team treats children with all types of noncancerous blood disorders. We specialize in diagnosing and managing immune system problems in children who have had organ transplants.

UCLA Health is a referral center for the state's newborn screening program for hemoglobinopathy, a group of inherited blood disorders. We are also a satellite hemophilia treatment center with the Center for Inherited Blood Disorders.

Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program

Our program is part of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UCLA Health Sarcoma Program, one of the three highest-volume sarcoma centers in the country. We provide comprehensive care for bone and soft tissue tumors in children.

Our specialists are members of national organizations, including the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration and the Children's Oncology Group. These memberships expand access to clinical trials and research. The team creates personalized, effective treatment plans with collaboration among:

• Pediatric oncologists
• Orthopaedic oncologists
• Pediatric surgeons
• Medical oncologists
• Musculoskeletal pathologists
• Musculoskeletal radiologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Surgical oncologists

Our team also includes the support of:

• Nutritionists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Specialized nurses

Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Program

Our specialists provide comprehensive care for children with leukemia and lymphomas. We are long-time members of the Children's Oncology Group, offering exceptional access to clinical trial treatments. Our active research participation leads to better survival outcomes for children with these conditions.

The multispecialty team provides patient care as well as support and resources for the entire family. Your child's care team includes: 

• Pediatric oncologists
• Nurse care managers
• Psychologists
• Social workers

Pediatric Brain Tumor Program

We treat infants, children and young adults with all types of brain or spinal cord tumors. Our specialists emphasize family-centered care that evaluates the needs of your child and your family unit together. Our pediatric brain tumor team creates effective, personalized treatment plans to offer your child the best chances of an optimal outcome.

This multispecialty team includes the expertise of:

• Pediatric oncologists
• Pediatric neurosurgeons
• Pediatric neurologists 
• Neuropathologists
• Neuroradiologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Stem cell transplant surgeons

We care for your child from diagnosis through recovery, offering extra support from professionals such as:

• Audiologists
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• School rehabilitation specialists
• Social workers
• Specialized nurses

Conditions pediatric hematologist oncologists treat

Our pediatric hematologist oncologists treat the full range of blood disorders and childhood cancers. We provide treatment for cancers such as:  

Brain and spinal cord tumors: Irregular cell masses starting in the brain or spinal cord  

Germ cell tumors: Tumors that start in the cells that make up the reproductive system

Hepatoblastoma: A very rare tumor that starts in liver cells

Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer starting in the white blood cells, which fight infections

Leukemia: Cancer that starts in the body's blood cells and blood-forming tissues, such as bone marrow

Neuroblastoma: Cancer that starts in early nerve cells called neuroblasts, usually affecting infants or children under 5

Wilms tumor: A type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children

We also treat bone and soft tissue tumors, including:

Ewing sarcoma: A growth that starts in or around bones, often in the legs, arms or pelvis

Osteosarcoma: Cancer that starts in the cells that form bones, often occurring at the ends of bones

Rhabdomyosarcoma: A rare type of tumor starting in the soft tissues, usually the muscles

Our specialists also treat pediatric blood disorders, including:  

Anemia: A condition in which the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells

Aplastic anemia: The bone marrow stops producing enough new red blood cells

Hemolytic anemia: The body destroys red blood cells faster than it makes them

Iron-deficiency anemia: The body doesn't have enough iron to create an adequate amount of red blood cells

Megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia: The bone marrow creates red blood cells that are unusually large

Sickle cell anemia: An inherited group of disorders in which red blood cells are sickle shaped instead of round, causing them to clump together and block blood flow

Hemophilia: A disorder in which blood doesn't clot properly

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: A disorder in which the blood contains an irregularly low number of platelets, which help with blood clotting and wound healing

Thalassemia: An inherited disorder in which the body doesn't have enough hemoglobin, the substance that helps red blood cells circulate oxygen

Children's hematology oncology treatments we offer

We offer the full spectrum of treatments with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Cancer treatment may include:

Chemotherapy: This treatment involves administering medicines that destroy fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. Children may receive chemotherapy through a long hollow tube called a central line. This central line is placed underneath the skin with a small portion remaining outside the body to deliver medication.

Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high doses of radiation to shrink or destroy cancer cells and tumors.

Surgery: Often, oncologists will recommend surgery to remove as much of a tumor as possible while keeping healthy tissue intact.   

Targeted therapy: These medicines target specific types of cancer cells to destroy them or stop their growth.

Immunotherapy: This treatment stimulates the body's immune system to increase its ability to fight cancer.

Treatment for blood and bleeding disorders may include:

Blood transfusions: Health care providers use an intravenous (IV) line to deliver blood or blood components to children.

Bone marrow transplant: This treatment replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells.

Meet our team

Our specialists have paved the way in treating children's blood disorders and cancers. UCLA Health physicians continually study new techniques and tools, bringing children the most up-to-date therapies.