The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital offers bone marrow transplants for pediatric patients from infancy through age 21. Bone marrow transplantation may be a treatment option for children with cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and some types of solid tumors; blood disorders such as aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia; some metabolic diseases and congenital immunodeficiency disorders.
Our program features a specially trained team utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to meet the medical and emotional needs of children with serious illnesses. Our highly qualified cancer specialists work closely with other medical specialists to ensure successful transplantation and manage any complications that may arise. In addition to the pediatric oncologists and transplant physicians, other important members of the team include the transplant coordinator, pediatric nurse practitioners, social worker, case manager, patient advocate, nutritionist and a chaplain, all of whom work closely with patients and families. Two art therapists, who are also psychologists, help children work through the complex emotions that accompany serious illness. Support groups, which are arranged according to patients' ages, help young people and their parents talk through their feelings and gain support from others.
To determine if a pediatric patient is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, a team of specialists reviews the patient's case and evaluates heart, lung, liver and kidney function. Intensive neuropsychosocial testing is an important part of the evaluation process, to obtain a baseline on the child's neuropsychological function and make sure the child can withstand the rigors of transplantation.
Most aspects of transplantation are the same for children as for adults. Specialists determine whether an autologous (using the patient's own bone marrow or blood) or allogeneic (using donor marrow or blood) transplant is indicated. For donor transplants, the bone marrow transplant team locates a match.
Pediatric patients can also receive a cord blood transplant, which uses stem cells collected from an umbilical cord. Cord blood, when available, usually is preferred over an unrelated donor transplant, because it is less likely to result in graft versus host disease and is more readily available. Cord blood is obtained from cord blood banks around the U.S. and several other countries. The matching process is the same as for other transplant sources.
The actual therapy, transplant and recovery process is much the same for children as for adults. The therapy varies according to the patient; similarly, recovery is highly individual. Currently, all pediatric bone marrow transplants are being performed in the adult bone marrow transplant unit at Georgetown. Plans are in place to establish a separate pediatric bone marrow transplant/oncology unit.
A child-friendly outpatient pediatric bone marrow transplant clinic is situated in the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, designed to make young patients more comfortable and less anxious. Patients come to this clinic during the evaluation and pre-transplant stages, and again for post-transplant follow-up.
For more information about the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Georgetown University Hospital or if you'd like a referral to one of our physicians, please call (202) 444-4000.
