The short answer
Children with cancer are often treated at children's cancer centers, where specialists have training to care for children. Many centers belong to the Children's Oncology Group (COG), a research network. NCI's Cancer Information Service can help families find one.
Children with cancer are often treated at children's cancer centers.
Pediatric teams include many specialists trained to care for children.
Many children's centers belong to the Children's Oncology Group (COG), a large research network.
At these centers, clinical trials are available for most childhood cancers.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Children who have cancer are often treated at a children's cancer center — a hospital or unit that specializes in caring for children with cancer. Staff there have special training to give complete care to children, from medical treatment to emotional support.
A whole team
Pediatric care teams bring together many specialists, which may include:
- Pediatric oncologists and hematologists
- Pediatric surgical and radiation specialists
- Rehabilitation specialists and nurse specialists
- Social workers and psychologists
The Children's Oncology Group
Many children's cancer centers belong to the NCI-supported Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest organization conducting childhood cancer research. At these centers, clinical trials are available for most types of childhood cancer, giving children access to the latest research-based care.
Getting help finding a center
NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can help families find COG-affiliated hospitals and answer questions about treatment and clinical trials.
Specialized children's centers offer trained teams and access to clinical trials.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸Where are children with cancer treated?
Children are often treated at a children's cancer center — a hospital or unit that specializes in caring for children with cancer, where staff have special training and expertise.
▸Who is on the care team?
Pediatric teams often include primary care doctors, pediatric oncologists and hematologists, surgical specialists, radiation oncologists, rehabilitation specialists, nurse specialists, social workers, and psychologists.
▸What is the Children's Oncology Group?
The Children's Oncology Group (COG) is the world's largest organization that conducts childhood cancer research. Many children's cancer centers are COG member institutions.
▸Why does treatment at a specialized center matter?
At these centers, staff are trained specifically in children's cancers, and clinical trials are available for most types, giving children access to the latest research-based care.
▸How do I find a center?
NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can help families find COG-affiliated hospitals and answer questions about care and clinical trials.
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