Center for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders
Since opening in 1995, the pediatric hematology/oncology unit at Arnold Palmer Hospital has provided high-quality care for children with blood disorders and cancer. The homelike unit, designed around the comfort of patients and their families, is integrated with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, a part of Orlando Health, and provides children with multidisciplinary care including social work, pharmacy, nutritional services, physical and occupational therapies, and child life services. In addition to these specialties, our dedicated team of physicians and nurses meet regularly to discuss the care of each child. Our specially trained nurses are chemotherapy certified in order to provide the highest level of care for these patients.
Dr. Vincent Giusti, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, discusses pediatric cancer treatment at Arnold Palmer Hospital.
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
Located in downtown Orlando, M. D. Anderson – Orlando is affiliated with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, which is consistently ranked as the No. 1 cancer program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is one of the largest clinical and basic cancer research centers in the world. As one of the premier providers of cancer care in Florida, M. D. Anderson – Orlando has served more than 50,000 patients since 1991.
M. D. Anderson – Orlando’s highly trained physicians form multidisciplinary teams of board-certified surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and counselors that provide complete patient care from diagnosis through all phases of treatment.
Our relationship with M. D. Anderson in Houston allows for expert consultation of the pathology and confirmation of diagnoses and treatment. Sophisticated telemedicine technology links physicians at M. D. Anderson – Orlando with cancer specialists at M. D. Anderson in Houston to jointly determine the best course of treatment for the most difficult cancer cases.
Our children’s cancer program has three distinct units:
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Pediatric & Adolescent 20-bed inpatient unit at Arnold Palmer Hospital
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Pediatric Outpatient Clinic at Arnold Palmer Hospital for outpatient visits and treatments
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Radiation oncology housed at M. D. Anderson – Orlando
Multidisciplinary Approach
We treat the whole child, not just the illness. Each patient has a team of specialists to address medical, psychological and developmental issues related to cancer and its treatments. Counseling and support groups help both child and family overcome any fears or concerns. Even after treatment is finished, follow-up programs will monitor and manage any long-term side effects.
Treatment and Research
Our pediatric hematology and oncology doctors treat patients with any form of childhood blood diseases and cancer, including:
Latest Treatment Options:
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Surgery is used to remove tumors. During surgery, cancerous tissue is taken from the body, often with some lymph nodes, to determine whether the disease has spread.
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Radiation therapy is used to shrink tumors, kill residual cancerous cells after surgery, or to manage symptoms that may result from advanced disease.
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Chemotherapy is the use of medication to kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment method for cancer and is commonly administered to a patient intravenously or by mouth.
Designated as a Children’s Oncology Group facility, Arnold Palmer Hospital is involved in leading-edge cancer research and clinical trials.
Healing Environment
Arnold Palmer Hospital is a sanctuary of hope and healing. The most advanced technology, coupled with compassion and dedication, have made Arnold Palmer Hospital one of the most trusted names in children’s healthcare worldwide. We listen to kids. That’s why we’ve created a cheerful, comforting environment to minimize stress and generate smiles.
Child Life
Our child life team helps children understand and cope with their hospital stay by providing “medical play.” Certified child life specialists and child life assistants strive to make hospitalization a positive and less stressful experience for children and their entire families. Specialists have expertise in child development, education or therapeutic recreation. They also have special training in ways to assist children and families in the medical setting, such as helping to build coping skills, providing education about the medical experience and offering play experiences that promote healing and expression.
For more information or for new patient referrals, please call 321.841.1869