Cancer

The Cancer Program at the MUSC Children's Hospital

The treatment of childhood cancers is different from adult cancers. Every child requires a pediatric care team that can meet his or her specific needs. At MUSC Children’s Hospital, our pediatric specialists understand how cancer can affect a child's growing body and design care specifically for each child’s physical and emotional needs.

We have the expertise to help cure childhood cancer one family at a time. In addition to delivering leading-edge care, our pediatric cancer experts participate in laboratory and clinical research to develop safer and more effective therapies. When determining the best treatment, our team does everything possible to minimize the effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and other therapies on a child's development. 

Once again, the 2019–2020 edition of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Children's Hospitals has ranked MUSC Children's Hospital as a "best hospital" for pediatric cancer, ranking among the top programs in the country.

On The Horizon

Cancer patients typically experience the longest and most frequent stays in the hospital. In 2019, the new Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital will be home to the state-of-the-art cancer unit on the top floor to give patients and families the best views of Charleston and the surrounding area.

Our patient families helped design features and amenities for the new facility. The modern unit will have 16 inpatient beds, plus an outpatient clinic with both private and open-bay infusion areas. By housing both inpatient and outpatient care, it helps ensure seamless care during treatment with all caregivers in the same location.

Pediatric Cancer Clinics and Programs

Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program

The MUSC Children’s Health BMT program is fully accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation for Cellular Therapy (FACT) and offers all types of transplantation including autologous and allogeneic (including related donors, unrelated donors, cord blood, and haploidentical).

Brain Tumor Program

The MUSC Brain Tumor Program offers a multi-disciplinary approach with specialists from pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, and pediatric neurology. Rehabilitation services are coordinated seamlessly with clinical team support.

Hemophilia Clinic

At the MUSC Hemophilia Clinic, children are cared for by a pediatric hematologist, nurse coordinator, social worker, and physical therapist who develop a tailored plan of care with an emphasis on prevention.

The Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center

At the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, our multidisciplinary team plays an important role by helping patients and families understand sickle cell, manage it and guide them to community resources.

Follow-up After Cancer Treatment (FACT) Program

Started in 1995, FACT is comprehensive clinic for long-term cancer survivors that provides care and resources to reduce complications later in life.

Thrombosis Clinic

The Thrombosis Clinic pediatric specialists are experts in bleeding and clotting disorders and provide the most up-to-date treatments.

Vascular Anomalies

The vascular anomalies physicians, nurses and therapists provide a coordinated team approach for each child’s condition.

Pediatric Cancer Conditions We Treat

• Brain tumors
• Ewing sarcoma
• Germ cell tumors
• Hepatoblastoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Neuroblastoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Osteogenic sarcoma
• Rare tumors
• Retinoblastoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Wilms tumor

Stories

• Child's large tumor leads to a first for South Carolina
• Child a 'one in a million case'
• Abigail goes home
• Teen advocate Rachel remarks on groundbreaking
• Genomic screening helps doctors target girl's cancer

Why Choose MUSC Pediatric Cancer Center

• South Carolina’s largest and most comprehensive pediatric cancer center
• Ranked as a "best hospital" for pediatric cancer for the 3rd consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report
• The only bone marrow transplant center in South Carolina
• The leading referral center for young cancer patients in the state
• Offers unique clinical trial opportunities through the Children’s Oncology Group, the Pediatric Blood Marrow Transplant Consortium, Beat Childhood Cancer and others.
• The Darby Children’s Research Institute is the largest and most comprehensive pediatric research facility in the Carolinas and one of only about 20 in the country

By the Numbers

• 90 New Oncology Patients Per Year
• 20 Blood and Marrow Transplants a Year
• 1st Chemopreventative Trial Open For Neuroblastoma
• 1st (and only) Research Lab in SC Exclusively Devoted to Childhood Cancer
• 1st Upfront Trial for Personalized Cancer Treatment Options

Experimental and Alternative Therapeutics

The MUSC Children’s Experimental Therapeutics Program offers new, promising medicines and treatment methods for pediatric patients. We work closely with families to identify when a newly emerging therapy might benefit a child and which one is the best for his or her individual case. Treatment is delivered by an experienced team with specialized skills, following strict safety standards.

Clinical Trials and Research

At MUSC Children’s Hospital, our Children’s Oncology Group (COG) clinical trial team of scientist-physicians strives to develop new and better ways to care for children with cancer and blood disorders. COG has a network of more than 200 Hospitals and 5,000 healthcare professionals dedicated to finding answers and sharing results. Our division has more than 40 clinical Phase II and Phase III trials open for our pediatric patients. Often clinical trials provide the best access to the most advanced, leading-edge treatments.

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Team

At MUSC Children’s Hospital, we provide comprehensive care to help children with cancer and other disorders live as comfortably as possible by preparing them for treatment, and managing and relieving symptoms and side effects of treatment.

Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists includes:

• Adolescent Medicine
• Anesthesia
• Child Life
• Neuropsychology (including social work)
• Nutrition
• Palliative Care (including pain management)
• Physical Therapy
• Psychiatry
• Surgery

For Professionals

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship

MUSC recruits cancer researcher for dual appointment
Denis C. Guttridge to serve as director of Darby Children’s Research Institute, associate director of translational sciences for Hollings Cancer Center.

Patient Resources

Leading Pediatric Cancer Research

MUSC has the only basic science researchers in South Carolina dedicated to pediatric cancer research. Our team has been awarded grants from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the Children’s Oncology Group, and the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.

Our young patients also benefit from the tremendous work of the Medical University of South Carolina's Charles P. Darby Children’s Research Institute – the largest and most comprehensive pediatric research facility in the Carolinas.