Cancer and Blood Diseases Center
Our Programs
Anemia and Red Blood Cell Disorders Program
We care for children with a number of conditions that affect the red blood cells. Our program is led by Matthew Heeney, MD, an expert in pediatric hematology who specializes in sickle cell disease and inherited disorders of iron deficiency, sideroblastic anemia and iron overload.
Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program
Combining the expertise of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston, the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Program provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for children and adolescents with benign or malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. Our pediatric surgeons are nationally recognized for their expertise in removing bone and soft tissue tumors, and our center was one of the first in the country to use adjuvant chemotherapy and perform limb salvage surgery for patients with osteosarcoma. Our program is led by Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD.
We are the pediatric site of the Boston Hemophilia Center, the largest hemophilia program in New England. As a federally funded hemophilia treatment center and joint program with Brigham and Women's Hospital, we provide comprehensive, compassionate care to children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, a leading expert in hemophilia, ITP and thalassemia, is our medical director.
Fanconi Anemia & Bone Marrow Failure Multidisciplinary Clinic
Our Fanconi Anemia and Bone Marrow Failure Multidisciplinary Clinic team provides compassionate, patient- and family-centered care to children with Fanconi anemia and bone marrow failure syndromes. Two renowned pediatric hematologists, Colin Sieff, MB.BCh, and David A. Williams, MD, oversee the clinic, which brings together a wide array of top pediatric experts.
Fertility Preservation Program
As treatments for childhood cancers have improved, more survivors are entering their reproductive years, and are thinking about starting families of their own. The Fertility Preservation Team at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center recognizes that fertility is an extremely important issue related to long-term quality of life. We offer a wide variety of options to patients and families.
Patients with histiocytosis are treated through our Histiocytosis Program. Here, every aspect of your child’s condition is evaluated by a subspecialist with in-depth knowledge of histiocytosis—including pediatric oncologists, dermatologists, orthopedists and radiologists. We participate in clinical trials sponsored by the Histiocyte Society, offering new therapeutic options to our young patients. Our program is led by Barbara Degar, MD.
Children with kidney tumors, such as Wilms’ tumor, are treated through our Kidney Tumors Program. Our team, led by Elizabeth Mullen, MD, includes doctors and nurses who are extremely knowledgeable about pediatric kidney cancers. They’ll be able to answer all your questions—from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.
Children with leukemia are treated through our Leukemia Program. Our cure rates for children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are among the best of published statistics. The most common treatment—used by pediatric oncologists around the world—was designed by our team. For the past 35 years, we’ve continually refined it, so children receive the most effective treatment with the fewest side effects possible. Lewis Silverman, MD, directs our Leukemia Program.
Lymphoma Programs (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
Patients in our Hodgkin Lymphoma Program and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program are seen by a team led by Amy Billett, MD. Both programs include pediatric experts in oncology, radiology, pathology and radiation oncology who evaluate, diagnose and treat children with all forms of these lymphomas and related disorders.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Specialty Care
Here at our Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome Specialty Care Program, we offer comprehensive care for children with myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders. As a national pediatric hematology oncology referral center, our team, led by Inga Hofmann, MD, is one of the most experienced in the world at treating children with MDS. We’re continually striving to better understand why MDS occurs and to develop new treatments.
Our team of neuroblastoma experts provides treatments for newly diagnosed patients, as well as innovative therapies for children with relapsed and hard-to-treat neuroblastoma. Our center includes expert pediatric surgeons, imaging specialists, pathologists and stem cell transplantation physicians, as well as leaders in pediatric oncology with expertise in neuroblastoma: Lisa Diller, MD, and Suzanne Shusterman, MD.
The Node Assessment Program of Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC) provides a multidisciplinary approach to the care of children with disease or persistent swelling of the lymph nodes. Patients and their families have access to experts in the field, including surgeons, pathologists, oncologists and radiologists. The first of its kind in New England, the Node Assessment Program accepts referrals, second opinions and consultations from physicians and families for children with lymphadenopathy that require further evaluation to establish cause, severity, and treatment. Conveniently located in Waltham, Massachusetts, about 15 miles from Boston, the program’s clinic is easily accessible and is a full-service facility with free indoor parking, a cafeteria, and overnight facilities for patients.
Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT)
In 1997, the Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) was created to meet the unique needs of families struggling with a child’s advanced illness. We offer family-centered physical and psychosocial care for children whose advanced illnesses impose limitations on their lives. Our PACT caregivers manage patients’ pain and symptoms, coordinate home care and address any specific issues your family may be facing. PACT, led by internationally known pediatric palliative care expert Joanne Wolfe, MD, MPH, has served as the model palliative care program for pediatric institutions around the country.
Patients with brain and spinal cord tumors are treated in our Pediatric Brain Tumor Program. Here, your child will receive care from many of the world’s most experienced pediatric brain tumor doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as internationally recognized pediatric subspecialists at Children’s. The program is directed by Mark Kieran, MD, PhD, and includes leading neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists.
The Pediatric Cancer Risk Program (PCRP) provides multidisciplinary, consultative care to patients and their families whose condition or family history suggests an increased risk of cancer. Our program offers patients access to expert pediatric geneticists, genetic counselors and other specialists at Children’s Hospital Boston, as well as world-renowned pediatric oncologists from Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center.
Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation Program
DF/CHCC is a world leader in pediatric stem cell transplantation. We perform about 80 stem cell transplants each year for children and teens with many types of cancer and genetic disorders. Our Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation team, led by Leslie Lehmann, MD, includes some of the world’s most experienced and knowledgeable pediatric stem cell transplant doctors and scientists, as well as nationally recognized pediatric specialists.
Platelet Function Disorders Program
Our Platelet Function Disorders Program experts provide compassionate, comprehensive care for children and adolescents with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other platelet function disorders. Alan Michelson, MD, our program director, is the foremost expert in the field of platelets and platelet disorders. He is the editor of Platelets, the premier academic text on these conditions, as well as director of the Center for Platelet Research Studies, one of the world’s most active research programs in platelet disorders.
The Division of Radiation Oncology plays a significant role in childhood cancer care. Our radiation oncologists completed advanced training in pediatric oncology and radiation oncology, and are entirely focused on delivering radiotherapy to young children and adolescents. We’re experienced in providing safe, effective radiation treatments, during which high doses of radiation destroy or reduce the size of a tumor while sparing the healthy tissues and organs that surround it. Karen Marcus, MD, is chief of the Division of Radiation Oncology.
We are committed to providing exceptional care for children with rare cancerous conditions, including:
- germ cell tumors, led by Lindsay Frazier, MD
- liver tumors, led by Kim Davies, MD
- retinoblastoma, led by Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD
Our Rare Tumors Program’s pediatric experts have experience treating children with many kinds of rare cancers and offer the latest therapies and clinical trials. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD, is the director of the Rare Tumors Program.
Here at our Sickle Cell Program, our experienced hematologists provide your child with ongoing care through initial diagnosis, treatment and long-term health maintenance. We care for children and young adults with sickle cell disease of all types—ranging from more common forms, such as HbSS, HbSC and sickle-beta thalassemia, to the rarest forms of the disease. The Sickle Cell Program is led by Matthew Heeney, MD.
Our researchers have been at the forefront of thalassemia research and treatment for decades. Our team, led by Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, includes doctors who are experts in hematology, transfusion medicine and genetics. We offer unrivaled expertise in thalassemia evaluation and treatment, including iron chelation therapy and MRI iron assessment, as well as access to the latest clinical trials.
Thrombosis Program & Anticoagulation Service
The Thrombosis Program and Anticoagulation Service provides comprehensive treatment and long-term care for patients with thrombosis and those at risk of developing thrombosis in the future. Our multidisciplinary team of hematology specialists, led by Alan Michelson, MD, has extensive expertise in blood clotting, genetics and the assessment and treatment of thrombosis.
White Blood Cell Disorders Program
At the White Blood Cell Disorders Program, we provide comprehensive treatment for children with non-malignant white blood cell disorders. We offer expert consultations and second opinions for children with neutropenia and other white blood cell disorders andaccess to experienced pediatric subspecialists, including experts in stem cell transplantation. The White Blood Cell Disorders Program is directed by Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD.
Courageous Kids
