Cancer and Blood Diseases

Despite remarkable advances in cancer treatment for children, cancer kills more children than any other disease. Each year, about 2,300 children and teenagers die from cancer, and about 11,000 more children are diagnosed with it. Because childhood cancer differs from adult cancer in the way it emerges and develops, our programs are designed specifically for children. With this expertise, many childhood cancers are cured and the outlook for many young patients is good.

The Children's Cancer and Blood Disease Program at UCSF Children's Hospital is an international leader in the treatment of cancer and blood diseases. We are home to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Center, one of the nation's 10 comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers and a regional pediatric Hemophilia Treatment Center. The Bone Marrow Transplant Program at UCSF Children's Hospital is a leader in special treatment options for children with primary immunodeficiency diseases, marrow failure syndromes, genetic diseases, cancers and other life-threatening illnesses.

As part of our research effort, we are members of the Children's Oncology Group, a national organization of 150 pediatric cancer centers that explores new treatments for childhood cancer, and New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Treatment, a federally funded consortium of universities and children's hospitals that tests promising new therapies for neuroblastoma, a common and often difficult to treat cancer.

A program called the UCSF Survivors of Childhood Cancer is available to assist survivors of pediatric cancer achieve and maintain optimal physical and emotional health through clinical care, education and research.

To make an appointment, you may need a referral from the doctor treating your child. Please check with your health insurance company.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated March 3, 2008