Pediatric Cancer

Why choose Ochsner Health for your child’s pediatric cancer care?

Nothing stops a parent in their tracks quite like these four words: “Your child has cancer.”

If your child is one of the more than 200-plus kids in Louisiana diagnosed with cancer this year, your top priority is finding a team of pediatric cancer experts who can provide a combination of innovative treatment options, advanced technology and compassionate care — and it’s our priority at Ochsner Hospital for Children to deliver on those expectations.

At Ochsner Hospital for Children, some of the country’s most dedicated and passionate pediatric specialists, including oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists, work together to develop a personalized care plan for each child, teen and young adult. But your child’s care isn’t limited to doctors specializing in hematology and oncology. Because cancer and its treatment can impact a child’s growth and development, we also rely on Ochsner’s team of pediatric experts in fields like audiology, cardiology, endocrinology, genetics, neurology and orthopedics to provide your child with comprehensive care. And our child life services team can help your child understand their diagnosis and treatment and have as much fun as possible while they’re receiving inpatient or outpatient care.

As part of the Ochsner Cancer Institute, a leader in pediatric cancer and blood disorders treatment and research, Ochsner Hospital for Children’s pediatric cancer care team understands the unique needs of your child, teen or young adult. We work to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that not only offers access to some of the newest treatments for childhood cancer, but also takes their social and emotional needs into consideration. Since 1954, Ochsner has been working hard at one goal: to give your child the best chance at a healthier life.

Ochsner Hospital for Children is a member of Children’s Oncology Group, the largest organization in the world dedicated solely to research for childhood and pediatric cancer. Because of our collaboration with the Children’s Oncology Group, Ochsner’s pediatric oncologists are connected with 10,000 cancer experts at 200 leading children’s hospitals, cancer centers and universities across the globe. Together, we’re working to find new solutions for the kids who are diagnosed with cancer each year.

So what does that mean for your child?

Information about your child’s cancer, and how your child responds to treatment, is reported to the Children’s Oncology Group. Researchers from around the world have access to this information as they work to develop new treatment standards and adjust currently available treatments to not only help prevent cancer from returning, but to also reduce the risk of late effects of treatment. Clinical trials may also be available to your child through the Children’s Oncology Group.

Pediatric and adolescent cancer care is available at Ochsner Hospital for Children in New Orleans, as well as other locations in Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Jefferson. Find a location near you.

We treat all types of pediatric cancers at Ochsner. Some of the cancers we treat include:

Brain cancers and brain stem tumors
Kidney cancers
Leukemia and other blood cancers
Liver cancer
Lymphoma — cancer of the lymphatic system, includes Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Neuroblastoma — nerve cancer
Osteosarcoma — bone cancer
Sarcoma — soft tissue cancer

Sometimes cancer can be treated with one or two treatment types, such as chemotherapy and surgery. In other cases, kids may need additional treatments or a combination of more advanced options. Ochsner offers access to the most evidence-based, state-of-the-art treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We also offer stem cell transplant and biologic therapy. Our oncologists work hard to create a treatment plan designed for your child and their needs.

At Ochsner, we strive to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and blood disorders. Our patients and their care teams benefit from dedicated social workers, child life specialists and child psychologists.

Our child life program is the biggest in Louisiana and can help your child understand their healthcare experience through education, medical play and other therapeutic activities.

Our unique Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer and Survivorship program provides specialized, age-appropriate care for patients 15 years and older.

FAQs

The four most common types of pediatric cancers we treat at Ochsner include leukemia and other blood cancers, lymphomas, brain tumors and sarcomas.

The American Cancer Society reports that leukemia, cancer of the blood, is the most common type of cancer found in kids and teens. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common childhood leukemia, followed by acute myeloid leukemia.

Symptoms of childhood leukemia include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, pale skin and feeling cold. Your child may also be prone to infections, easy bruising and frequent nosebleeds. Childhood leukemia can also result in bone or joint pain, loss of appetite, weight loss or swelling in the lymph nodes, face or arms.

If your child is experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to seek early treatment for childhood leukemia. The sooner it’s diagnosed, the sooner your child can start treatment.