Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service

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Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service

Clinical Care Center, 14th floor
MAIL: 6621 Fannin St., CC 1410.00
Houston, Texas 77030-2399

Phone: 832-822-4200 | Toll-free: 800-226-2379

Page modified on February 21, 2008

Leukemia/Lymphoma Program

Leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, is the most common cancer in children and adolescents. Leukemia accounts for 25 to 30 percent of all pediatric cancer cases.

The Texas Children's Cancer Center's Leukemia/Lymphoma Program provides comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation and management of pediatric patients with suspected or proven leukemia or lymphoma. This encompasses patients with any of the following diagnoses: acute lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, one of the chronic leukemias or myelodysplastic syndromes, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease.

Recognizing that clinical trials are the standard of care for all children with cancer, every eligible Texas Children's Cancer Center patient is considered for entry in National Cancer Institute-approved trials, and the vast majority are registered on such studies. These treatment protocols represent leading-edge therapies in the field.

Acute lymphoid leukemia is by far the most common childhood leukemia. At Texas Children's Cancer Center, protocols for newly diagnosed patients study disease biology while offering novel treatment.
Spectral Karyotyping

Current therapy for pediatric acute lymphoid leukemia classifies patients based on a number of risk factors. One of the most important risk factors relates to chromosome abnormalities within the leukemia cells. Because specific chromosome translocations are used to guide the intensity of therapy, accurate identification of chromosomal abnormalities prior to initiating treatment is essential.

Recently, a novel molecular technique, spectral karyotyping (SKY), was introduced at Texas Children's Cancer Center. This technique combines the advantages of spectral imaging and 24-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), permitting the analysis of the entire chromosome complement by a single hybridization. By displaying each chromosome in a unique color, SKY allows accurate identification of even subtle translocations not otherwise detectable.

Page modified on November 15, 2007

Leukemia/Lymphoma Team

Leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, is the most common cancer in children and adolescents. Leukemia accounts for 25 to 30 percent of all pediatric cancer cases. Lymphomas account for another 10-15 percent of cases.

The Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service's Leukemia/Lymphoma Team provides comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation and management of pediatric patients with suspected or proven leukemia or lymphoma and also cases of Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis. This encompasses patients with any of the following diagnoses: acute lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, one of the chronic leukemias or myelodysplastic syndromes, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and histiocytic disorders.

Recognizing that clinical trials are the standard of care for all children with cancer, every eligible Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service patient is considered for entry in National Cancer Institute-approved trials, and the vast majority is registered on such studies. These treatment protocols represent leading-edge therapies in the field.

Acute lymphoid leukemia is by far the most common childhood leukemia. At Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service, protocols for newly diagnosed patients study disease biology while offering novel treatment.
Members

C. Philip Steuber, M.D. - Head

Gladstone Airewele, M.D.
Christopher Baldez, L.M.S.W.
Lisa Bomgaars, M.D.
Mital Brahmbhatt, L.M.S.W.
ZoAnn Dreyer, M.D.
Ruth A. Herring, R.N., M.S.N., C.P.N.P., C.P.O.N.
Marilyn Hockenberry, Ph.D.
Terzah Horton, M.D., Ph.D.
Donald Mahoney, Jr., M.D.
Judith Margolin, M.D.
Kenneth McClain, M.D., Ph.D.
Karen Rabin, M.D.
Michelle Redell, M.D., Ph.D.
Cara L. Simon, R.N., Ph.D., C.P.N.P.
Dana Swan, CCLS
Jalane Theis, R.N., M.S.N., P.N.P.

© 2009 Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital