No parent ever wants to imagine their child receiving a diagnosis of cancer. But if this occurs, you can feel secure knowing that the health team at Riley at IU Health treats your whole child, not just his or her condition. If your family faces the condition of pediatric cancer or blood disorders, you will be surrounded and supported by a team that includes you in the treatment decisions for your child. Our team will provide the in-depth information you need and a treatment plan that is right for your family.
Cancer and blood disorders may affect your child for a short time or for his or her entire life. Our team will be there to help your child and family cope with the impact of these disorders.
The Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders Department at Riley at IU Health works hand-in-hand with a large team of doctors and support staff from a variety of specialties to provide every possible treatment option available. Your child's care plan may involve a treatment or therapy that is provided by specialists from the following Riley at IU Health departments:
- Integrative Medicine & Palliative Care
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Pain Management
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Radiology & Imaging
The health team at Riley at IU Health cares about your child, and they also care about future children who will be affected by cancer and blood disorders. That is why the physician-scientists at Riley at IU Health and Indiana University Health University Hospital focus on research and clinical trials. The Riley at IU Health system ranks nationally for cancer care with access to the newest and best treatment options available. Our team treats more than 80 percent of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in Indiana.
The Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders Department at Riley at IU Health ranks nationally as a provider of care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Our department is affiliated with the Indiana University Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. The IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center for clinical care in Indiana. We provide the only pediatric stem cell (bone marrow) transplant program in the state and are members of the Children’s Oncology Group Phase I & Pilot Consortium. This means we receive early access to clinical trials and newly developed cancer treatments and research.
Riley at IU Health oncologists, nurses and support staff tackle your child’s treatment from all angles. This multidisciplinary approach is what leads to consistent annual ranking of Riley at IU Health as a top center for pediatric cancer and blood disorder treatment.
Innovative Treatments
Riley at IU Health is the only pediatric health system in the state of Indiana to offer CAR-T cell therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Nationally Ranked Quality Care
Our Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders Department is ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, we are a Children's Oncology Group Phase I Consortium member-giving your child access to the latest clinical trials.
Conditions & Services
Conditions Treated
Our pediatric specialists provide patient- and family-centered care for most related conditions. The links below provide more specific information about some, but not all, of the conditions that we treat.
- Anemia
- Bone Marrow Failure
- Brain & Spinal Tumors
- Coagulation Disorders
- Germ Cell Tumors
- Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- Hemophilia
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Leukemia
- Liver Tumors
- Lymphoma
- Neuroblastoma
- Neurofibromatosis
- Osteosarcoma
- Pediatric Ewing Sarcoma
- Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs)
- Retinoblastoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Vascular Malformations
- Wilms Tumor
Services Offered
We offer a number of different Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our department.
Doctors
and Locations
Doctors
Many of our doctors, pediatric nurse practitioners and registered nurses have more than 15 years of experience working in the Cancer & Blood Disorders Department at Riley at IU Health.
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Patient & Family Resources
Patient & Family Resources
Below is a list of services provided by Riley at IU Health to help support your child and family through their cancer care with us. These are just a few of the support services we provide. Learn more about our Patient and Family Support Services.
Resources
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Using a combination of counseling and art interventions, art therapists provide an alternative therapy to address patients and/or family members emotional and mental health needs during their hospital stay at Riley at IU Health.
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Our Child Life Specialists use therapeutic interventions to help children have a normal childhood despite illnesses and hospitalization.
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Using music, our therapists create a safe environment where patients and families can share their thoughts and feelings.
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Our nutrition team will work with you and your child to make sure you have the tools you need to make sound dietary choices and manage your child’s condition at home.
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Regular visits from therapy animals can help your child deal with the stresses of illness and treatment.
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If you're coming to Riley at IU Health for outpatient cancer care, our on-site pharmacy can fill any necessary medications for your child to be picked up before you leave.
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With our school program, your child does not have to miss out on important education while receiving treatment.
Related Programs
Related Programs
The Cancer & Blood Disorders Department at Riley at IU Health is advancing the treatment of pediatric cancer and blood disorders through the following specialty programs.
Related Stories
Related Stories
Newly approved drug gives hope to neuroblastoma patients
Aidan Brown, who has battled cancer since he was 5, is among kids who will benefit from the outpatient treatment available at Riley.
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Three-year-old cancer patient meets the woman who saved his life
Jacob Parry nearly died of leukemia, but the selfless gift of a stranger restored his health. Over the weekend, he met his superhero at a baseball game.
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Health Professionals
For Health Professionals
Healthcare professionals can refer patients to Riley at IU Health by calling the Indiana Medical Access and Communications System (IMACS) at 317.916.3500 or 800.622.4989. IMACS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency consultations and referrals. Routine consultations and referrals are available Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5:30 pm.
Refer A Patient
Riley at IU Health works with referring physicians in Indiana and beyond.
Refer A PatientResearch
Visit the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Indiana University School of Medicine for information about the latest research in the field of cancer and blood disorders.
Education
The Cancer & Blood Disorders Department at Riley at IU Health works daily to train the next generation of physicians and researchers. Riley at IU Health is actively affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine and the IU Health Simon Cancer Center. Through this affiliation, we offer a pediatric oncology/hematology fellowship. The fellowship program boasts a three-year training format, with two new fellows chosen each year.