Pediatric Blood Cancers Program
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Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for leukemia and lymphoma treatment?
A blood cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for children and families. At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we're here to offer guidance and expertise at every step.
You'll find a highly experienced team of pediatric hematologist-oncologists who work exclusively with children. We offer the latest therapies for leukemia, including CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies, for children with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer.
Our patients are often among the first to benefit from emerging blood cancer treatments before they're widely available. Through our partnerships with major research organizations, we offer one of the largest selections of pediatric cancer clinical trials in Northern California.
Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for leukemia and lymphoma treatment?
A blood cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for children and families. At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we're here to offer guidance and expertise at every step.
You'll find a highly experienced team of pediatric hematologist-oncologists who work exclusively with children. We offer the latest therapies for leukemia, including CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies, for children with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer.
Our patients are often among the first to benefit from emerging blood cancer treatments before they're widely available. Through our partnerships with major research organizations, we offer one of the largest selections of pediatric cancer clinical trials in Northern California.
Care for adolescents and young adults with ALL
Research shows young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have better outcomes at pediatric cancer centers. We care for patients age 30 and younger.Expertise in complex conditions
We specialize in treating rare and difficult-to-treat blood cancers, such as juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and relapsed and refractory leukemias.Comfort and healing
Our dedicated program offers services to help kids manage pain and feel their best, including physical rehabilitation, massage, acupressure and art therapy.Family-focused care
Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers support the emotional and practical needs of patients and their families.
Our approach to childhood leukemia and lymphoma care
Our team treats all childhood blood cancers, from common types, such as ALL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), to rare conditions not routinely seen at many cancer centers. From diagnosis through survivorship, we tailor care to the unique needs of each child.
Diagnosing pediatric blood cancers
Our hematologist-oncologists and specialized pathologists work closely together to accurately diagnose blood cancers. In addition to standard blood tests and bone marrow evaluations, we perform advanced molecular testing using the UCSF500 cancer gene panel. This test analyzes the DNA and RNA of normal, healthy cells and cancer cells. It can help us confirm difficult diagnoses and provide additional information that influences treatment decisions.
We also use pharmacogenomic testing to further personalize treatment. This can help predict how a child may respond to chemotherapy and other medications. We use this information to choose drugs and dosages with the lowest risk of side effects.
Treatment for pediatric leukemia and lymphoma
Blood cancers often require a combination of treatments, which may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an important part of treatment for many children with blood cancers. It may be used as the main treatment or given before or after other therapies. Our experts study new ways to deliver chemotherapy to improve its effectiveness, while reducing side effects.
Immunotherapy
We are at the forefront of immunotherapy, treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapies may target cancer more effectively and cause fewer side effects than other treatments.
We offer several specialized immunotherapies, including:
CAR T-cell therapy. We take a sample of immune cells from a patient's body and modify them in a lab so they can recognize and attack cancer cells. We grow these modified cells so a higher number can be delivered back into the patient's body. UCSF was the first cancer center in California to offer the CAR T-cell therapy known as tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah).
Bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapy. BiTE therapies, such as blinatumomab (BLINCYTO), use antibodies that bind immune cells and leukemia cells together, so immune cells can destroy cancer cells.
Antibody-drug conjugates. These are antibodies attached to a chemotherapy-like drug, which bind to leukemia cells to deliver cancer treatment directly to these cells. We offer antibody-drug conjugates, including inotuzumab (Besponsa) and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg).
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
Children with high-risk leukemias may need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, either as part of their initial treatment or if cancer returns after remission. This procedure replaces stem cells in bone marrow with healthy cells from a donor, such as a sibling, parent or unrelated donor.
To prepare for a bone marrow transplant, children receive chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation therapy (total body irradiation). Learn more about our comprehensive bone marrow transplant program.
Providers (dynamic)
Karen Rabin, MD, PhD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Arun Rangaswami, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Marie Jaeger-Krause, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (Neuro-Oncology)
Madhav Vissa, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Providers (manual)
Karen Rabin, MD, PhD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Benjamin S. Braun, MD, PhD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology • Medical Oncology
Maria I. Castellanos, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Benjamin J. Huang, MD
Hematology and Medical Oncology • Medical Oncology
Awards & achievements
Best in Northern California and top 10 in the nation for cancer care
Designated an early phase clinical trials core site by the Children's Oncology Group
Accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
- Blood Cancer
- Burkitt Lymphoma
- Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Leukemia
Treatments
- Blood Cancer Chemotherapy
- Bone Marrow Transplant
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy
- Clinical Trials
- Stem Cell Transplant for Hematological Malignancy
- Total Body Irradiation
Support services
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.