Cincinnati Children's | Cancer Program

Expert Care for the Most Complex Cancers

Cincinnati Children’s is an international leader in caring for children and young adults with cancer. We are experts in treating the hardest, most resistant cancers. That’s why families from around the world come to us for our expertise and the most advanced technologies.

Our patients, parents, pediatric oncologists and researchers are close partners. They work together to take on the toughest, most complex cancer cases. This completely integrated approach to care and scientific discovery enables us to drive breakthroughs in medicine, develop new treatments and manage the most challenging patient diagnoses.

But the most important thing we offer is hope. Our expertise and approach together give hope and healing to children, families and caregivers when they need it the most.

Why Choose Us

Cincinnati Children’s cancer program is ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our pediatric oncologists specialize in meeting the unique care needs of each patient and family. Our team delivers some of the most advanced, groundbreaking therapies in the world, which are often only available here.

Team Approach to Develop New Treatments

Our clinical and research teams often develop new and advanced treatments for the most difficult-to-treat pediatric cancers that are relapsed (come back) or refractory (resist treatment). This “team science” led to the recent pediatric Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of the new drugs Vyxeos for acute myeloid leukemia, and selumetinib for patients with inoperable neurofibromatosis tumors.

Pioneers in Next-Generation Sequencing

We were innovators in the use of “next generation sequencing," which helps us to understand the wiring of cancers and leukemias that have not responded to traditional therapies. We can now tailor treatments to those cancers with targeted drugs and immune therapies.

Experienced CAR T Program

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy uses a patient’s own immune system to kill aggressive and treatment-resistant, relapsed and refractory cancer. Cincinnati Children’s is among the most experienced in the country with many options for leukemia and lymphoma, giving more children the opportunity to benefit from this lifesaving therapy. We are developing other similar advanced therapies, like the treatment of dangerous viral infections.

Cutting-Edge Radiation Therapy

Our Proton Therapy Center delivers the most advanced form of radiation therapy available. This technology destroys cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs, and has fewer side effects to the brain.

Young Adult Cancer Center

Our Young Adult Cancer Center is internationally recognized as a pioneer in developing precision therapies for young adult patients with forms of pediatric cancers. We’ve developed protocols to treat these patients who react to cancer therapies much differently than their younger and older counterparts.

Survivorship and Lifelong Wellness

Our Cancer Survivorship Center provides specialized medical care and psychosocial support to childhood cancer survivors continuously and without interruption through adulthood.

Our Cancer Programs and Services

Our specialists offer the most advanced therapies for patients who are newly diagnosed, and those seeking innovative treatments for rare, relapsed and recurrent cancers. We have 18 dedicated cancer programs and services that partner with other top-ranked pediatric specialties across Cincinnati Children’s. Here are just a few.

A young girl smiles in a clinic at Cincinnati Children's.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Program

Our program is one of the nation’s largest and most technically advanced and provides access to new treatments through innovative research.

A young girl smiling outside on a sunny day.

Brain Tumor Center

Patients come from around the world come to Cincinnati Children’s for expert treatment for brain tumors in children and young adults.

A young girl outside smiling at the camera.

Sarcoma Program

We combine the strengths of our highly ranked pediatric cancer and surgery programs to deliver advanced, personalized sarcoma treatment approaches.

A little boy smiles while a doctor checks his heart rate with a stethoscope.

Expert Second Opinions for Pediatric Cancers

Cincinnati Children’s provides second opinions for children and young adults with cancer, with an emphasis on high-risk or treatment-resistant cancers.

Second opinions help you understand all available treatment options and make a more informed decision about which is best for your child. Learn more about the benefits of a second opinion and how to make your request.

Conditions We Treat