Patients & Caregivers

Pediatric patients

Children who have cancer, and their families, face challenges that can feel overwhelming. Whether learning about the disease or undergoing tests and treatments, just adjusting to the disruption of normal routines and family life can be tough. We have resources to support your child and your family through this time.

Most Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) patients who are 21 and younger get their medical treatment and supportive care at Seattle Children’s, an SCCA partner organization.

Pediatric blood and marrow transplant

The Fred Hutch Bone Marrow Transplant Program at SCCA is one of the world’s largest and most experienced centers for pediatric stem cell transplantation.

Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Stem cell A cell from which other types of cells develop. For example, blood cells develop from blood-forming stem cells.

Pediatric BMT

Pediatric proton therapy

Since proton therapy is targeted, it can be particularly effective in treating children, who are more sensitive to the effects of radiation. The precision of protons means children have a reduced chance of radiation side effects such as growth and developmental problems, as well as secondary tumors later in life. The SCCA Proton Therapy Center has radiation oncologists who specializes in proton therapy treatment for children.

Radiation oncologist A physician who has special training in using radiation to treat cancer. Side effects A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some side effects of cancer treatment are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores.

Pediatric Proton Therapy

Services

These services can help your family through this challenging time.

Schools and childcare

Young SCCA patients and the school-age family members of SCCA patients can continue their education while temporarily living in Seattle. There are options with Seattle Children’s School Services and we also have contact information for childcare services.

Pain Management Program

The Pediatric Pain Management Team focuses on controlling pain for children who receive treatment through SCCA. The team works with children who get outpatient care through SCCA and inpatient care at Seattle Children's.

Pain Management Program

Palliative care

Pediatric palliative care helps relieve symptoms or other issues that your child has because of serious illness or treatment. Much more comprehensive than terminal care, it is helpful at any time from diagnosis throughout treatment.

Palliative Care

Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.

Patient and Family Resource Center

The SCCA Patient and Family Resource Center includes a lending library, notary service, among other resources. It is available for families of children and teens who are patients of SCCA.

Patient and Family Resource Center

Social workers

Social workers at Seattle Children’s help families adjust to a cancer diagnosis and cope with their new situation and the demands of treatment in the best possible way. We work with young patients, parents, and siblings.

Social workers

Child life specialists

The Child Life team at Seattle Children's is here to help make your child’s stay more positive for the entire family. Our services are designed to support your child’s emotional and developmental needs and to help your family cope.

Child Life Specialists

Support groups for children

We can help find support groups for children with special health care needs, their siblings, and parents. Most of the groups are led by a social worker or nurse from Seattle Children’s. Parents or parent-staff partnerships facilitate some groups.

Support Groups for Children

Survivors of childhood cancer

Pediatric cancer patients and their families find themselves in new circumstances after cancer treatment. Now is the time for follow-up care which is very important for the pediatric cancer patient's long-term health. The pediatric follow-up program at Seattle Children's Hospital is appropriately named the Cancer Survivor Program.

The Cancer Survivor Program at Seattle Children's Hospital offers treatment, support and education for pediatric cancer survivors and their families. We are also here to help educate your child's primary care physicians and other relevant persons in the years following your child's cancer treatment. The years following cancer treatment are the beginning of the journey of cancer survivorship. Your child might need specific information on late effects of treatment or support dealing with social or learning issues that might arise after their treatment for cancer has ended.

In the Cancer Survivor Program clinic, your child will be given a thorough screening and health evaluation by our medical staff. Your child will leave with a treatment summary that contains your child's treatment history and all medical information that is pertinent to their diagnosis and any late effects they might experience. This treatment summary will have recommendations for your child's health-care provider to keep your child as healthy and you as informed as possible in the years following your child's treatment for pediatric cancer.

To get more information about the Cancer Survivor Program, to find out if you are eligible or to make an appointment, please call (206) 987-2106.

Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease.

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