Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Cancer)

Pediatric hematology/oncology, a UMHC service since 1969, incorporates a team of medical, surgical, radiotherapy and pathology subspecialists as well as supporting nursing, laboratory and social work personnel. This team approach provides the various aspects of treatment and supportive care necessary for optimal treatment of children with cancer and hematologic disorders.

Outpatient care for UMHC pediatric hematology and oncology patients is provided at the Mississippi Children’s Cancer Clinic, which was designed and constructed specifically to meet the outpatient needs of children with malignancies and other blood diseases and is dedicated exclusively to the care of these patients. The Children's Cancer Clinic, pharmacy, laboratories conference room and staff offices constitute the ground floor of the eight-story Batson Children's Hospital.

Pediatric hematology/oncology offers comprehensive services using a multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up of malignancies in children and adolescents. We also provide diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders, thrombotic disorders, red cell, white cell and platelet disorders. We provide comprehensive care for patients with hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease. We offer stem cell transplantation for patients with malignancies, sickle cell disease, enzyme deficiencies and other disorders.

The multidisciplinary team is led by a physician board certified in pediatrics as well as pediatric hematology/oncology. In addition, the program has 14 nurses, including eight that are certified chemotherapy nurses, as well as four social workers, a child psychologist, a child life specialist and a pharmacist.