Pediatric Cancer 

Partnering with the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, the Geisinger Cancer Institute brings the best cancer care to the families of northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

Diagnosis

Out of the 12 major childhood cancers, most are either leukemia (blood cell cancers), lymphoma, or a cancer of the brain and spinal cord.

Leukemia
The most common type of leukemia is lymphoblastic leukemia, which is cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Although other conditions might cause the same symptoms, consult your physician should your child develop any of the following conditions:

• Fever
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding)
• Bone or joint pain
• Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
• Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs
• Weakness or fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. The first is Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of the Reed-Sternberg cell. The second category is non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells.

Cancers of the Brain and Spinal Cord
The most common solid tumors are brain and spinal cord tumors in which abnormal cells form in the tissues of the brain or spinal cord. Tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system

The Brain Controls Many Important Body Functions
The brain has three major parts:

1. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is at the top of the head. The cerebrum controls thinking, learning, problem solving, emotions, speech, reading, writing, and voluntary movement.
2. The cerebellum, which is in the lower back of the brain (near the middle of the back of the head), controls movement, balance, and posture.
3. The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is in the lowest part of the brain (just above the back of the neck). The brain stem controls breathing, heart rate, and the nerves and muscles used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating. 

By pinpointing cancer cells and only removing what is necessary, Geisinger physicians and neurosurgeons work carefully to leave healthy brain tissue intact.

Treatment

Although leukemia, lymphoma, and brain and spinal cord tumors are the three most common types of childhood cancers, Geisinger’s physicians are dedicated to fighting a wide range of cancer in children.

Children’s Oncology Group
Geisinger has joined the Children’s Oncology Group, an international research group and part of the NCI. The mission of this group is to prevent and cure childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care. Through this partnership Geisinger is able to offer clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments and evaluations in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, allowing children and their families to stay close to home.

For more information about Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and our children’s cancer program, please visit our Pediatric Hematology/Oncology site.

Our Team

Physician Team Leaders:

• Michal Ann Miller, MD, Pediatric hematologist/medical oncologist
• Jagadeesh Ramdas, MD, Pediatric hematologist/medical oncologist
• Jeffrey Scott Taylor, MD, Pediatric hematologist/medical oncologist