Specialized Expertise
As Orange County's only hospital exclusively committed to the health and well-being of pediatric and adolescent cancer patients, every service and program is devoted to the unique need of this population. Our experience in exclusively treating children makes us the experts in the evaluation and treatment of all forms of common childhood and adolescent cancers. This expertise has been recognized by The Commission on Cancer.  The Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the BMT Center of Excellence contracts with most national and regional health plans.

Childhood and adolescent cancers we commonly treat at the CHOC Cancer Institute include:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Brain / Central Nervous System Tumors
• Neuroblastoma
• Sarcomas of Bone and Soft Tissue
• Germ Cell
• Liver
• Wilms' Tumor / Kidney
• Thyroid
• Skin

As the largest and most comprehensive cancer center in the region, the CHOC Cancer Institute and its pediatric specialists provide a full range of dedicated services:

• Only regional pediatric hematology/oncology unit
• 28-bed oncology unit
• 12-bed oncology intensive care unit
• Outpatient cancer center
• Outpatient infusion center
• Active participation in national clinical trials through the Children’s Oncology Group
• Phase 1 Institution

Personalized Care
At the CHOC Cancer Institute, we believe every patient is unique. At your child's initial appointment, he/she will be seen by one of our pediatric oncologists. In addition, you and your child will be assisted by a pediatric-trained oncology nurse coordinator who will support you and your child throughout your child’s treatment. The CHOC Cancer Institute’s nurse coordinator serves as an advocate for you and your child by attending all case conferences, facilitating patient appointments and ensuring seamless care between inpatient and outpatient areas. The nurse coordinator also assists the patient's family during the discharge planning process and as well as providing necessary patient education and family support.

At the initial appointment, your child may undergo several individualized diagnostic tests to help our specialists make or confirm a diagnosis. Once all test and lab results are compiled, a multi-disciplinary team of pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, your child’s primary oncologist and the oncology case coordinator meet to discuss your child’s case and to determine the best course of treatment.

Our specialists work closely with your referring physician to ensure that there is coordination of care as well as close communication. At the CHOC Cancer Institute, we believe that your referring physician is an important member of our treatment team and vital to your child’s long-term care.

Medical Services and Treatment
After a diagnosis is made, family members meet with the oncologist who will outline the child’s treatment plan. Treatment plans, which are called protocols, are based on a variety of factors including the type and extent of disease at diagnosis. A majority of CHOC protocols come from the Children’s Cancer Group (CCG), a national organization funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The goal of CCG is to improve the treatment and increase the survival and cure rates of childhood cancer.

Different types of cancers call for one or more different treatment approaches. Family members receive a “roadmap,” which is the “calendar” of the treatment plan. The child’s nurse reviews the roadmap with each family.  It may also be modified according to the child's response.

Innovative Programs
In order to accurately diagnose and effectively treat each patient, we have designed innovative, specialized programs for on-going diagnosis, management and treatment of pediatric cancer.

• Adolescent & Young Adult Program
• Blood & Marrow Transplantation Program
• Recurrent and Refractory Cancer Program
• Palliative Care Program
• Neuro-Oncology Program
• ACTS: After the Cancer Treatment Survivorship Program

Supportive Environment
When your child is ill and needs hospitalization, you and your entire family are affected. The CHOC Cancer Institute believes in allowing a child to be a child and creating a sense of normalcy through play, discovery and creativity. We offer the most comprehensive child-life and family support programs in the region and are committed to promoting the fullest developmental potential of each child.

• Parent support groups and referrals
• School Re-integration Program
• Rehabilitation services
• Complementary / Alternative Medicine program

Contact Us
Contacting the CHOC Cancer Institute is easy. Simply call (714) 532-8636 and you can set up a timely appointment. We are also available to provide second opinions for newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer patients. You will be asked to bring your medical records with you.

Physician to Physician calls, please contact (714) 516-4348.