Pediatric cancer
Cancer can affect anyone — from tiny infants to adults — at any time. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, UK HealthCare has you covered. We take pride in the fact that children in Kentucky can receive the same state-of-the-art therapy close to home as they would at any pediatric oncology center anywhere in the country.
Our young cancer patients may receive care through Kentucky Children’s Hospital at UK HealthCare or the UK Markey Cancer Center, consistently named one of the top 50 cancer centers in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The DanceBlue Clinic
Because cancer affects children differently than adults, specialized care is needed. While adults receive advanced cancer care at Markey Cancer Center, children with blood-based cancer and solid tumors turn to the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic to receive advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services. This kid-friendly clinic is designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming experience for families.
UK Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program
Young children aren’t the only ones who need specialized care. Every age group does. The UK Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program was developed to care for the unique needs of patients ages 15 to 29. Combining specialists from Markey and DanceBlue, our team of experts comes together to pool their collective knowledge. This collaboration leads to improved outcomes and more consistent long-term care.
Advantages of the AYA Program include:
- A multidisciplinary team that includes physicians along with a nurse practitioner, registered dietitian, school intervention specialist and social worker.
- Genetic counseling to learn how certain genetic conditions may affect the patient or family members.
- Oncofertility counseling to educate patients and parents about options to preserve fertility during or after treatment.
- Pain management services to meet the specific needs of 15- to 29-year-olds.
All these aspects of care combine to give patients the best chance at a full life after cancer.
Insurance Information
Insurance policies can vary widely. Please check with your doctor/clinic for specific insurance information before your visit or procedure to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. See list of insurers »
Pediatric neuroendocrine tumor (NET) program
The UK Healthcare Pediatric Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinical and Research Program offers unique, individualized care to children with a rare form of cancer.
A collaborative effort between the UK Markey Cancer Center and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, the program is one of only a handful of centers specializing in this field in the world. We bring together the prowess of Markey’s multidisciplinary NET program with the expertise of the pediatric oncology program at our children’s hospital. Through this collaboration, we provide specialized care for children 18 and younger diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor or with a condition that predisposes them to developing these tumors.
Our program brings together oncologists who meet regularly to review cases and develop treatment plans that meet each child’s specific needs, whether for a current treatment or a clinical trial. We also offer parents peace of mind with second opinions and can coordinate with local physicians to allow children to receive care in their own communities.
Why choose UK HealthCare for your child’s cancer care?
Our hematology and oncology experts have years of expertise and experience, and they are highly recognized in the field. Our oncologists actively participate in treatment protocols of the Children’s Oncology Group, the national pediatric clinical oncology cooperative group sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
While a child is undergoing treatment for a blood disorder or cancer, every aspect of life is affected. We provide services and assistance to help families cope, including our PAWS (Providing Assistance With Schools) Program, which serves as an educational liaison between the school, the family and the medical team.
For children who may have a predisposition to developing a type of inherited cancer, we offer a Cancer Predisposition Clinic specially designed to meet their needs.
Adolescents and young adults face unique challenges when diagnosed with cancer. In many cases, cancer in a young adult behaves more similarly to that in a child rather than an adult cancer. Recognizing this, our UK Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program combines the services of our pediatric oncologists with those of the Markey Cancer Center, providing care for cancer in those ages 15 to 29.
Because we recognize that care for pediatric cancer doesn’t end with the last treatment session, our services don’t end there, either. We offer a Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic to monitor children for signs of recurrence, as well as any lingering negative effects from treatment. We’re here for you from start to finish of your child’s medical journey.
