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Headline Title

Investigators and physicians in the Pediatric Oncology Branch realize that many challenges remain in the treatment of childhood cancers and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes.
We are committed to improving outcomes for children and young adults with cancer through cutting-edge basic science and clinical research. Patients with cancer, NF1, NF2, or other diseases under study in the Pediatric Oncology Branch who are enrolled on clinical trials may receive therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. Our clinical programs and clinical trials span early treatment studies with new targeted agents including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins, immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, and bone marrow transplantation to studies aimed at improving our understanding of childhood cancers and conditions that predispose children to cancer. Our clinical research teams specialize in the study and treatment of pediatric brain tumors, solid tumors including sarcomas (Ewing’s sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and desmoplastic small round cell tumor), neuroblastoma, melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors (GIST), leukemia and lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease, and tumors related to genetic tumor predisposition syndromes such as Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2 or medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The treatment of a childhood cancer presents extraordinary psychological, emotional and social challenges to the entire family. The Pediatric Oncology Branch offers a variety of support services (support services page) to help families adapt and mobilize resources during treatment for these diseases. At the heart of these services is the personal commitment of every multidisciplinary team member to understand each young patient as a unique individual with specific needs. Team members also collaborate with parents at each step in the process to be attentive to the quality of life of all family members, including siblings.  We provide a wide array of support services to help make our patient’s time at the Pediatric Oncology Branch as enjoyable as possible.

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