Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

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Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

100 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone/Contact Information
Main: (616) 391-9000

Hematology/Oncology

The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Hematology and Oncology Program is one of the largest in the Midwest and includes the only Pediatric Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program on the western side of the state.

The staff and physicians offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary specialty care, coordinated by board certified pediatric hematologists/oncologists, treating infants, children, teens and young adults. Care is provided for a wide range of hematology, coagulation and oncology disorders on an inpatient, outpatient and/or consultative basis.

Services are distinguished by membership in the national Children's Oncology Group (COG) and by a federally funded comprehensive hemophilia treatment center, the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Coagulation Disorders Program.

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology program maintains an active inpatient service, and more than 600 patients are seen each month in the clinic for outpatient evaluations, transfusion therapy, chemotherapy administration, laboratory monitoring and diagnostic consultations and procedures.

Treatment of Cancer in Children
Before treatment begins, the team will accurately determine which type of cancer a child has. This is usually done by obtaining a sample of cancerous tissue: a bone marrow test for leukemia or a biopsy (surgical sampling) of tissue for tumors.

This tissue sample is studied by pediatric oncologists and pediatric pathologists to determine the exact type of cancer. It is often necessary to perform additional specialized tests on the tissue to more precisely determine the diagnosis; this may mean waiting a few extra days for treatment to be recommended. Children usually need to undergo other laboratory and x-ray tests to see if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, and to check the condition of other body organs and functions that may be affected by treatment.

As soon as all tests are completed, the pediatric oncologist and other cancer treatment specialists develop a treatment plan for each child, which is discussed in detail with the parent(s) before any treatment begins.

The actual treatment of each child's cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (anti-cancer medicines). Some forms of childhood cancer are treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.

Children are also evaluated in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology program for a variety of blood diseases such as hemophilia, sickle cell disease, anemia, and other problems affecting the red blood cells (that carry oxygen), white blood cells (the infection fighting cells), and platelets (cell fragments that help with blood clotting).

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Hematology/Oncology Clinic - 7th Floor South
100 Michigan NE MC 85
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 391-2653 FAX: (616) 391-8873
To reach physicians, call (616) 391-2086

Richard A. Axtell, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Sickle cell disease, neuro-oncology and white blood cell disorders

Chi Braunreiter, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics
Board Eligible: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Albert S. Cornelius, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Professional education, outreach, neuro-oncology and liver tumors

David S. Dickens, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Solid tumors, sarcomas, and angiogenesis inhibitors

James B. Fahner, M.D., Division Chief
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Hemophilia treatment, leukemia/lymphoma, Children's Hospice, and Children's Hospital Program Development

Beth A. Kurt, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Late effects of chldhood cancer

Deanna S. Mitchell, M.D.
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Special Interests: Coagulation disorders, molecular oncology, familial cancer syndromes, thrombophilia evaluation and treatment

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