Why choose Cook Children’s for pediatric cancer survivorship care
At Cook Children’s, we understand that for many children, the journey doesn't end when cancer treatment does. The Cancer Survivorship Clinic, also known within our system as the Life After Cancer Program, is a dedicated specialty program designed to monitor and treat the long-term effects that chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can have on a child’s endocrine system.
What you can expect
Our clinic is for children who are undergoing cancer treatment, have recently had treatment or are long-term survivors. When you choose our team, you can expect:
Nearly 50 percent of chronic health conditions in young adult cancer survivors are endocrine-related. Because these "late effects" can appear years — or even decades — after treatment, our clinic provides specialized surveillance to catch and treat them early.
Common conditions we monitor and treat:
- Growth and development: Growth hormone deficiency and abnormally slow growth.
- Puberty concerns: Early (precocious) puberty or delayed or absent puberty.
- Thyroid function: Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders, which can lead to extreme fatigue and metabolic issues.
- Bone health: Decreased bone mineral density or fragile bones due to previous treatments.
- Metabolic health: Monitoring for diabetes, obesity and other hormone-driven weight issues.
Our comprehensive team includes endocrinologists, nurse managers and child life specialists. Many children take multiple medications during or after cancer treatment. That's why our team also includes a dedicated pharmacist. This specialist offers detailed medication reviews so you understand medication benefits, side effects, instructions and potential interactions.
We work closely with oncology specialists in the Life After Cancer Program. This collaboration helps children experience the best outcomes possible so they can live a full and rewarding life after cancer treatment.
We want to make it as easy as possible for your child to get the care they need. When appropriate, telemedicine allows us to expand access to care so that you don't have to travel for treatment.
What makes our survivorship clinic different?
Children who develop endocrine complications after cancer have unique needs and require a different approach than those with traditional endocrine disorders.
- Extended evaluations: Our visits are longer and more focused, allowing for comprehensive assessments and education.
- Coordination of care: We work with the oncology team and other specialists to ensure a cohesive health plan.
- Long-term strategy: We don't just treat the present; we create a "bridge" for young adults, helping them transition from pediatric care to adult providers who understand their medical history.
- Data-driven screening: We follow national guidelines, such as those from the Children's Oncology Group, to ensure your child receives the specific screenings required for their history.
Advancing cancer survivorship care
We provide comprehensive screening and ongoing management of cancer-related endocrine problems. Your child's care may include:
Our endocrinologists perform physical exams and blood tests to check your child for signs of endocrine problems. Your child's evaluation also includes a detailed review of their diet to assess their nutrition.
Learning about endocrine side effects is essential to maintaining your child's health. Our team spends time with you to make sure you understand your child's diagnosis and what you can do about it.
Children may benefit from medications to improve growth, bone health or thyroid function. We provide medication reviews to help you understand medication use, side effects and interactions.
Endocrine side effects can develop years after cancer treatment. We provide ongoing screenings to ensure your child gets timely care for any new problems.
Your child receives care from some of the nation's top minds in medicine. At Cook Children's, our physicians participate in research and clinical trials to advance pediatric care.
Our specialists also participate in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). This national study has been evaluating the long-term effects of cancer treatment since the early 1990s.
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