Pediatric hematology-oncology focuses on blood disorders and cancer in infants, children, teens, and young adults. Our experts diagnose and treat these serious conditions while focusing on the unique needs of young people and their families.

• Blood disorders: These health issues affect the blood or the immune system. Examples include anemia, sickle cell disease, and clotting and bleeding disorders.
• Childhood cancers: Cells that grow out of control and affect how the body works. These include blood cancers and solid tumors.

A cancer or blood disorder diagnosis affects your whole family. At Carilion Children’s, we provide family-centered care that supports your child and the people who care for them.

Our multidisciplinary team works together to provide complete, coordinated care. Your child’s team includes:

• Pediatric hematologist-oncologists
• Pediatric hematology-oncology nurses
• Pediatric palliative care physician
• Nurse navigators
• Social worker
• Registered dietitian
• Oncology education navigator
• Clinical research coordinators
• Child Life specialist

We also work closely with other pediatric specialists throughout Carilion based on your child’s needs.

From diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and long-term follow-up, your care team will help you understand what to expect, coordinate appointments and tests, and connect you with the resources and support you need. Our nurse navigator provides extra guidance for your family throughout the care process.

We also offer second opinions for children diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder at another facility. Our goal is to support your family and help your child grow, thrive, and live as fully as possible.

At Carilion, our pediatric hematologist-oncologists treat both children with cancer and children with blood disorders. They have the clinical training, skills, and experience needed to provide expert care. 

We treat all kinds of blood disorders and cancers. If you don’t see your child’s health issue mentioned, know that we do treat it. Please contact us directly. 

Cancer and related conditions

Among kids, cancer is the leading cause of death from disease. The good news is that there’s real hope. Survival from childhood cancers continues to improve. Getting expert care matters.

Examples of common cancers we treat in children include:

• Brain and spinal cord tumors, including gliomas and central nervous system tumors
• Bone cancers, including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma
• Soft tissue sarcomas, including rhabdomyosarcoma and vascular tumors
• Blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma
• Solid tumors, including liver cancer and kidney cancer
• Neuroblastoma, a nerve cell cancer that often starts in the adrenal glands
• Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which is a rare condition where a type of white blood cell called an LCH cell grows out of control

Blood disorders

We treat a wide range of blood disorders, including chronic conditions that may require lifelong care. Blood disorders we treat in children include:

• Benign blood disorders: Non-cancerous blood conditions. These include iron deficiency anemia and blood platelet conditions.
• Hemoglobinopathies: Genetic blood disorders that affect red blood cells. This includes sickle cell anemia and thalassemias.
• Clotting disorders: These conditions affect how the blood clots. Your child may bleed too much or their blood may clot too easily.
• Bone marrow failure disorders: A group of disorders where the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells. 

At Carilion, our pediatric experts stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and technologies. Whether your child is an infant, child, teen, or young adult, we provide the expert care they need. Our goal is to get them well and keep them well.

• Transfusions: We give your child blood or blood products. This may include blood transfusions for children with sickle cell disease or platelet transfusions to help stop bleeding.
• Apheresis-based treatments: A special procedure to remove and replace parts of your child’s blood. Children with leukemia may need extra white blood cells removed. Children with sickle cell disease may need their red blood cells exchanged for fresh ones.
• Infusions: We give medicines and fluids through a vein. This can include cancer medicines. It can also be supportive care, like fluids, antibiotics, or vitamins.
• Diagnostic procedures: We do tests to find out if your child has cancer or a blood disorder. We also use these tests to see if treatment is working. These may include taking small samples from bone marrow, bone, or tissue.
• Cancer treatments: We create a plan that fits your child’s cancer. This may include cancer medicines, cancer surgery, or radiation treatment.
• Supportive care: We offer services to ease symptoms and support your family. This may include pain care, nutrition services, and palliative care to improve quality of life.

Pediatric infusion center

We also serve as Carilion’s pediatric infusion center, providing infusion services for children and teens up to age 18.

We care for children with cancer and blood disorders, as well as children with other health needs. Infusion services may include medicines, fluids, cancer treatments, and supportive care. These services allow your child to receive specialized pediatric care in one place.

We also provide infusion services for children who see pediatricians and pediatric specialists outside Carilion.