Children's Cancer Hospital

Several types of cancer occur almost exclusively in children, adolescents and young adults. The Children's Cancer Hospital at MD Anderson has a team of experts for each pediatric cancer type. Their disease-specific focus means children benefit from their combined expertise in treating both common and rare cancers. The Children's Cancer Hospital also treats other diseases that may lead to cancer or benefit from cancer therapies.

At the Children's Cancer Hospital, kids rule — not cancer. MD Anderson treats the whole child, not just the cancer. Each patient has a team of specialists to address medical, psychological and developmental issues related to cancer or its treatments.

Clinical Trials

For many children with cancer, clinical trials of new drugs and other cancer treatments provide the best hope for sucessful treatment. MD Anderson, through its Pediatric New Agents Program, is at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for a wide range of pediatric cancers, and moving them from the lab to the clinic for maximum benefit to young patients. The New Agents Working Group (NAWG) was formed in 1995 to build a network of pediatric clinical trial investigators from MD Anderson and other Texas Medical Center institutions. The program provides access to the newest, most innovative treatments available for resistant or recurrent cancers in children. Funds raised by Team “Making Cancer History” have been used to initiate clinical trials in the neurofibromatosis clinic of the Children's Cancer Hospital .

The Children's Cancer Hospital has three units:

1. The George E. Foreman Pediatric and Adolescent Inpatient Unit is a 26-bed facility for children and adolescents on the 9th floor of the Albert B. and Margaret M. Alkek Hospital . This self-contained unit includes two nursing pods and a protected environment for patients receiving bone marrow, stem cell or umbilical cord blood transplants.
   
   
2. The Robin Bush Child and Adolescent Center is designed for young patients who see their physicians for checkups or get treatments that allow them to return home the same day. The clinic includes 10 examination rooms, a playroom, a 10-bed Ambulatory Treatment Center for chemotherapies and other infusions, and a large waiting area. It is named for the young daughter whom President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush lost to leukemia in 1953.
   
   
3. Kim's Place is the ultimate tribute to a woman whose brave battle against cancer touched the hearts of fans around the world. Kim Perrot, a guard for the 4-time champion WNBA Houston Comets, died of lung cancer in August 1999 at the age of 32. Kim wanted to create a special place where cancer patients aged 15-25 could just hang out and be themselves. Her dream came true in June 2003, when Kim's Place opened to the public. Kim's #10 WNBA jersey is prominently displayed at the entrance as a reminder that her spirit lives on. The colorful recreation area of Kim's Place is decorated with comfortable couches and restaurant-style booths, and enough amenities to keep any teenager or young adult happy.