Children's Hematology and Oncology

Treating Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders

You’ll find exceptional care for children with cancer and blood disorders in a kid-friendly and supportive environment at Sanford Children’s. Our team of fellowship-trained and board-certified pediatric hematology/oncology providers offers expert care tailored to your child’s unique needs.

For physicians: Refer a patient to Sanford Health.

Types of Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders We Treat

Our pediatric hematologists and oncologists treat:

• Blood cancers: Blood cancers, like leukemia, need to be monitored and can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplants or a combination of these treatments.
• Blood disorders: These can include anemia, bleeding disorders, clotting disorders, enzyme disorders and hemoglobinopathies. A combination of lifestyle changes and medication can help manage these inherited blood conditions.
• Bone marrow failure syndromes: Children whose bone marrow doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells have bone marrow failure. Treatment for these conditions depends on the cause.
• Brain tumors: Many types of pediatric brain tumors exist, including cancerous and benign. Some grow quickly while others grow slowly. Treatment varies based on the kind of tumor.
• Childhood skin cancer: Skin cancer is rare in children, but it can happen. Children should see a dermatologist if they have an odd-looking or unusually large mole.
• Lymphoma: This is one of the most common childhood cancers. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Highly effective treatments are available.
• Myelodysplasia: Visit Sanford Children’s Myelodysplasia Clinic if your child has this rare bone marrow disease. Without highly specialized treatments, this disease can progress into leukemia.

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Cancer

There is no single sign or symptom that indicates a child has cancer, but some common ones include:

• A lump or swelling, especially on the neck, chest, armpit or belly
• Extreme fatigue
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Pain without a clear cause
• Joint or bone tenderness
• Limping or stumbling
• Unexplained fever or illness
• Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
• Sudden eye or vision changes
• A milky white color behind the eye
• Unexplained weight loss

While many of these symptoms are more often caused by conditions other than cancer, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms that don’t get better or go away.

How is Childhood Cancer Treated?

Your child’s treatment will depend on the type of cancer they are diagnosed with and its severity.

Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.

Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.

Surgery allows doctors to remove the cancer and the surrounding tissue.

Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Immunotherapy helps your body create more immune cells to help your body find and kill cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is a popular type of immunotherapy that uses altered T cells to treat cancer.