Pediatric oncology
Pediatric oncology focuses on the treatment of cancers that occur in children, from infants to teens. Cancer often manifests differently in children as they grow and develop. Pediatric oncology offers specialized cancer care to focus on the unique needs of childhood cancers.
Pediatric cancer care in Wichita
At Wesley Healthcare, we know parents want the best care available when a child receives a cancer diagnosis.
As the only dedicated children's hospital in the region, Wesley Children's Hospital provides the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art pediatric cancer care in central and western Kansas.
To speak to someone within our pediatric oncology department, please call (316) 962-6100.
For a physician referral, please call (316) 962-3627.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Comprehensive family centered care
Wesley Children's Hospital offers a complete team of specialists in pediatric hematology and oncology, as well as board-certified nurse practitioners, radiation oncologists, surgeons and experienced support staff. Our pediatric and adult cancer care programs are accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). To earn this gold standard for oncology, Wesley met 34 required quality-care standards, proving the hospital is committed to improving the survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of care.
Families choose Wesley for our medical expertise that is combined with our commitment to ease pain, fears and provide supportive care. Our team specializes in the management of acute and later side effects of pediatric chemotherapy, provide guidance with nutrition and health maintenance, as well as offer support groups and cancer survivorship.
Wesley Children’s Hospital offers all the amenities a family needs when caring for an ill child:
- Ronald McDonald House: Families have access to affordable accommodations and the comforts of home just minutes from their child’s hospital bedside.
- Ronald McDonald Family Room: This room, located within the children’s hospital, offers a kitchen, showers, laundry facilities and living area for families of pediatric patients to recharge.
- Pediatric playroom: Pediatric patients and their siblings (if no signs of illness) may play together in our playroom, which features toys and games for kids of all ages.
- Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU): Our PICU is where we care for critically ill pediatric patients, and it’s designed specifically for the comfort of children and their families.
- Pediatric emergency room: In the case of an emergency, our pediatric emergency room is separate from Wesley’s adult emergency room.
Pediatric hematology and oncology
Children who are diagnosed with cancer or a blood disease are referred to a pediatric hematologist/oncologist because of the physician’s specialized training and qualifications with pediatric oncology patients. These doctors have had:
- At least four years of medical school
- Three years of residency training in pediatrics
- At least three years of additional training in a fellowship program for pediatric hematology/oncology
Pediatric cancers we treat
Whether a child’s treatment requires inpatient or outpatient therapies, Wesley Children’s Hospital has board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologists on staff who specialize in the treatment of most pediatric cancers, including:
- Blood cancers, including leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
- Bone tumors
- Brain tumors
- Carcinomas
- Germ cell tumors
- Histiocytosis
- Kidney tumors
- Neuroblastoma
- Sickle cell
- Soft tissue sarcomas
- Spinal cord tumors
Pediatric cancer treatment
Wesley provides advanced treatments for pediatric cancers. A child may receive any of the following treatments, or a combination of these treatments, depending on the diagnosis.
- Chemotherapy: Pediatric patients will receive outpatient chemotherapy through the Pediatric Sedation/Infusion Unit. For your child’s safety, he or she may also receive inpatient chemotherapy, depending on diagnosis and disease process.
- Radiation: Pediatric patients needing radiation therapy treatment(s) may come to the Pediatric Sedation/Infusion Unit before receiving treatment to make the process easier for him or her.
- Surgery: Based on the diagnosis, surgery may be performed to biopsy masses or lymph nodes, to remove masses or for the placement of special catheters used to provide medication and/or treatments.
Pediatric chemotherapy and biotherapy require specific knowledge and specialized skills. Wesley Children’s Hospital participates in the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses to train and educate our nursing staff to administer pediatric chemotherapy. This is a specialized training that is required every two years and is a requirement before administering a child’s chemotherapy.