Hematologic Malignancy Center
The Hematologic Malignancy Center at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's is one of the top centers of its kind in the world. We offer specialized programs for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, histiocytosis and lymphadenopathy. Our center played a key role in refining treatment for childhood leukemia, resulting in today's cure rates of more than 90 percent for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and we continue to lead high-impact clinical trials designed to increase cure rates and decrease treatment-related toxicities for long-term survivors.
Highlights of the Hematologic Malignancy Center include:
- Highly specialized hematologist/oncologists who are world leaders in their field
- Quick and accurate diagnosis from our pediatric hematopathology service, one of the few dedicated pediatric programs in the U.S.
- Advanced diagnostic techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry and next generation sequencing genetic testing to detect key mutations that might be treated through targeted therapy (precision medicine)
- Specialized methods to detect minimal residual disease (levels of disease that cannot be seen under a microscope)
- Cutting-edge immunotherapies, including CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed ALL
- Outpatient pediatric anesthesia program to minimize pain and discomfort associated with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (including bone marrow aspirates/biopsies and lumbar punctures)
- Innovative treatment options, including a large portfolio of innovative, early phase clinical trials for patients with relapsed and refractory cancer
- Access to an internationally recognized pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Center
- Innovative programs to improve quality of life during and after treatment, including the back-to-school program, home hydration program (to minimize time spent in the hospital receiving chemotherapy) and multiple, age-appropriate activities and outings with child-life specialists