Cancer diagnosis and treatment for children

Pediatric Cancer Support for Families

Little things can make a difference when a child has cancer. It could be a psychologist who helps your family cope with big feelings or a school liaison who makes sure your child continues learning while in the hospital. These and more cancer support services are an integral part of the treatment we provide at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. 

Cancer Support Services

One child receives cancer treatment, but the entire family feels the impact. Support for families is a critical part of what we do. 

Psychologists

Our dedicated psychologists are specially trained to help children and families manage the feelings and pressures that can accompany a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. We offer ongoing counseling, support and coping strategies for individuals and families. 

We listen to children and help them process what they’re going through. We also refer children to a psychiatrist if we think they might benefit from medication.

Social workers

Our oncology social workers help families manage all the stresses that come with a child’s cancer treatment, from psychological to financial. 

We help you:

  • Understand your child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment plan
  • Talk about your feelings in a safe and supportive environment
  • Access help with lodging, meals, transportation, insurance, bills and more
  • Find ways to deal with practical matters like time off from work and childcare for siblings

School liaisons

A cancer diagnosis impacts a child’s education. Children receiving treatment in the hospital can’t attend school, and they may not feel well enough to do schoolwork. 

Our school liaisons:

  • Maintain contact with your child’s home school 
  • Coordinate assignments with your child’s teacher 
  • Help the school understand how treatment affects your child

Our Hospital School Program enables children to attend school while they are in the hospital. We create personalized education plans based on each child’s specific needs. 

Child life specialists

Child life specialists offer education and support for children throughout their treatment. We want children to have the resources and coping skills they need. Our services include:

  • Explaining treatments to children in an age-appropriate way
  • Offering support during difficult procedures
  • Helping children better understand what’s happening to them
  • Teaching children through play
  • Teaching pill swallowing and other relevant skills

Fertility preservation

Cancer can impact a child’s fertility, regardless of age, sex or diagnosis. Our team will meet with you — and your child, if appropriate — to discuss the impact treatment may have on fertility and potential options to preserve fertility. Find our more about the Integrated Care & Fertility Preservation Program. 

After Cancer Treatment

We don’t stop caring for children once they finish cancer treatment. Our long-term care programs support childhood cancer survivors into adulthood. 

Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program

Our Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program monitors and treats childhood cancer survivors for long-term side effects of cancer treatment. These side effects can pop up soon after treatment or many years later. 

We provide regular screenings to help us prevent or quickly treat any late effects that children develop. When children reach adulthood, they can seamlessly transfer to the Lifelong Outcomes Clinic.

Clinic for Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer survivors grow up, but they still may need help. The Lifelong Outcomes Clinic at Siteman Cancer Center provides personalized care for adult survivors of childhood cancer based on their specific diagnosis and needs. We help adults with late side effects, emotional concerns and more.

Support for brain tumor patients

We offer support for brain tumor patients long after their treatment ends. Children may experience problems with learning, vision, motor skills and other issues during and after treatment.

Our services include rehabilitation and a family support group. Find out more about how we facilitate your child’s brain tumor recovery.

Cancer Treatment Facilities

We want to make your experience as easy and comfortable as possible, so we designed our facilities with family needs in mind.

Family facilities

We know families benefit from as much normalcy as possible while their children are in the hospital for cancer treatment. To help with this, we offer:

  • Two lounge areas and an exercise suite for families in our inpatient unit
  • A playroom for siblings
  • Our Ronald McDonald Family Room, with amenities such as laundry facilities, showers, and a kitchen
  • Two outdoor rooftop gardens with spaces for play, reflection and healing 

Locations

Main campus

St. Louis Children’s Hospital
One Children's Place
St. Louis, MO 63110

St. Louis Children's Hospital is located in midtown St. Louis, Missouri. 

Specialty Care Center

St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center - West County
13001 North Outer Forty
Town and Country, MO 63017

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center in west St. Louis County provides convenient outpatient care that is closer to home for many young cancer patients. This satellite location, at Highway 40/I-64 and Mason Road, offers surface parking and easy access right off the highway. 

Services include:

  • Doctor appointments
  • Infusion center
  • Imaging tests, including X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds

Make an Appointment

Call 800.678.5437 to make an appointment or request an appointment online.