The Pediatric Oncology Program

About the Pediatric Oncology Program

The Pediatric Oncology Program in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the nation’s best oncology centers for children. With decades of pediatric expertise and experience in comprehensive cancer treatment, we’re equipped to support your family every step of the way.

What is oncology?

Oncology is the area of medicine that diagnoses, treats and prevents cancer. Oncologists are doctors who provide treatments to stop abnormal cancer cells from growing and ultimately eliminate those cells from the body.

Why choose us for oncological care

Our Pediatric Oncology Program is the largest in the region and one of the 10 largest programs in the country. We’re consistently ranked among the best programs in the country for treatment of pediatric cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

A team of pediatric oncologists and cancer experts

Our team of physicians, all of whom are faculty members at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, includes:

• Pediatric oncologists and bone marrow transplant specialists
• Pediatric surgeons, including specialists in neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, liver surgery and transplants, kidney surgery and transplants, eye surgery, bladder surgery and orthopedic surgery
• Pathologists and radiologists who assist with imaging tests and diagnosis of tumors
• One of the nation’s only radiation oncology physicians whose sole focus is the treatment of childhood cancer

Many of these doctors are recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in improving treatments and increasing cure rates for children with cancer.

Specialized teams are reserved for patients with leukemia and lymphoma, solid tumors — including bone tumors — and tumors of the brain and nervous system.

Cures and hope for kids with cancer

The goal of treatment is to eliminate cancer in each patient, which effectively cures them and allows for a long and full life. Approximately 80% to 85% of all children and adolescents who develop cancer are cured, and these rates continue to increase.

Our pediatric oncologists take great pride in the strides that have been made in the past few decades to dramatically improve cure rates for kids with cancer. These improvements are the result of many years of research focused on the causes of cancer and searches for the best treatments. And together with our brave patients who participate in treatment studies, Children’s Colorado continues to learn more.

Learn more about Piper's journey

What to expect from the Pediatric Oncology Program

A Children’s Colorado nurse will serve as your main point of contact, and a pediatric oncologist will coordinate and direct your child’s medical team. The medical team includes pediatric oncologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and psychologists.

Care plans typically include chemotherapy — a treatment method that uses medicine to kill cancer cells. The pediatric oncologist may work with additional physicians to schedule surgery or radiation when needed.

If your child will be staying in our inpatient unit, they’ll have a private room with a private bathroom, and there will be an additional bed for you. Our outpatient unit and infusion center are conveniently located adjacent to our inpatient unit.

To ensure your child spends as little time in the hospital as possible, we provide outpatient chemotherapy and infusion services Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or longer when needed. If necessary, we also provide these services over the weekend.

Read about our state-of-the-art facilities.

Support for cancer survivors

We offer several support groups for current and former Children’s Colorado patients with cancer.

The Children’s Colorado Wellness Program includes programs for therapeutic recreation, learning specialists, art and music therapy, and connections to community resources. These programs are aimed at helping patients and their families cope with cancer stressors. We also provide comprehensive emotional and medical support for patients when a cure isn’t possible.

Our HOPE Survivorship Program provides long-term, follow-up care for children and teens who have been cured of cancer. And in conjunction with the University of Colorado Hospital, we also offer the TACTIC Clinic that provides care for pediatric cancer survivors after they reach adulthood.

New cancer treatments

Whenever possible, we offer our patients the opportunity to participate in clinical research studies designed to improve cure rates and quality of life.

We are dedicated to providing the best, most current care for our patients. We stay up to date on the latest treatment protocols and collaborative research designed to improve our understanding of cancer and help us develop better, more effective treatments. We are a principal member of the Children’s Oncology Group, and a number of our physicians lead the national and international treatment studies this group conducts.

Additionally, Children’s Colorado offers one of the few pediatric Experimental Therapeutics Programs in the country that studies new cancer treatments.

Who we treat at the Pediatric Oncology Program

We treat a variety of cancers in hundreds of children, adolescents and young adults every year. Our patients range in age from newborns to young adults in their mid-20s. Learn more about the conditions we treat.

Contact the Pediatric Oncology Program

For appointments at Anschutz Medical Campus or South Campus, call 720-777-6740.

For appointments in Colorado Springs, call 720-478-0246.