IMPORTANT UPDATES

pediatric solid tumor cancer patient in hospital room

A tumor is an abnormal group of cells that clump together. If a tumor is a solid tumor, it does not have liquid or cysts in it. Solid tumors may be cancerous or noncancerous and can occur in different parts of the body. At the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we have multidisciplinary teams dedicated to each type of solid tumor commonly found in children.

Specialized programs

Due to our large size, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is able to dedicate teams of doctors and other healthcare professionals to each major type of solid tumor. By having specialized solid tumor programs, we make sure every child is cared for by a team that is solely focused on his or her disease. Our solid tumor programs include:

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center offers a full range of treatment options for children with solid tumors. We will create a treatment plan just for your child, as treatment approaches can vary. Our team works closely with each family to determine the best course of action. A child with a solid tumor may undergo any one of the following treatments or a combination of them.

  • Chemotherapy (chemo): A group of medicines that kill or damage cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy rays to kill or damage cancer cells.
  • Surgery: A procedure to remove as many of the cancerous cells as possible.
  • Blood and marrow transplant (BMT): A procedure that helps rescue blood stem cells after chemotherapy.
  • MIBG therapy (for neuroblastoma): One of the most effective treatments for children with relapsed neuroblastoma; we are one of the only centers in the Southeast offering this treatment.
  • Rotationplasty (for bone tumors): A portion of a limb is removed, while the remaining portion of the limb is rotated and reattached (typically, a child’s ankle joint becomes the knee joint).
  • Developmental therapeutics: Promising new cancer treatments for children who have relapsed or who have difficult-to-treat cancers.

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is committed to excellence and innovation in pediatric cancer and blood disorders research. As Georgia’s top pediatric cancer research center, we are home to one of the largest clinical trial programs in the country, through which we offer our patients access to novel childhood cancer and blood disorders treatment options.

View our open research studies:

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is home to one of the leading childhood cancer programs in the country. Our Solid Tumor Program is made up of medical and research professionals dedicated to treating solid tumors and developing new treatments and cures for the future. Combining the latest proven technology and research with a caring, child-friendly approach makes the center a top choice for the treatment of pediatric solid tumors.

Our highlights

  • U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top pediatric cancer programs in the country.
  • We care for more than 150 newly diagnosed patients with solid tumors each year, making us one of the largest pediatric cancer centers of its kind in the country.
  • We are home to one of the top I-131 MIBG programs in the country, treating more than 50 children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma over the past five years.
  • We coordinate care with a multidisciplinary team from several pediatric specialties, including oncology, radiation oncology, general surgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation.
  • We have physicians with national leadership roles in the areas of neuroblastoma, germ cell tumors and retinoblastoma.
  • We offer expertise in rare tumors and adult-like cancers occurring in pediatric patients and strong collaboration with our adult cancer center partner, the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Winship Cancer Institute.
  • We have one of the largest comprehensive orthopedic oncology programs in the Southeast, with dedicated pediatric oncologists, radiation oncologists and orthopedic oncologists.
  • We serve as a leading referral center for retinoblastoma in the Southeast, with participation in limited institution clinical research studies.
  • We recently procured National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NCI funding (R21) to test novel engineered gamma delta T-cell immunotherapy in patients with neuroblastoma.
  • We have pediatric specialists who are experienced in treating children and young adults with all forms of solid tumors, from the most common to those rarely seen outside of the top pediatric centers.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your child can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. At the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, we are here to support you and your family. We make it our mission to provide the best care—and best experience—for every child, whether treating a toddler during an emergency or helping a teen through chemotherapy treatments. Family plays an important role in your child’s well-being. Not only are you a vital part of your child’s healthcare team; you are a source of security and comfort.

Advanced practice providers:

  • Amy Lauer, PNP
  • Christie Powell, PNP
  • Meghan Pruett, PNP
  • Melissa Martin, PNP