Pediatric Cancers
Each year, more than 15,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. Talking to your child about their cancer diagnosis can be daunting. But at City of Hope, your child will be cared for by a dedicated team of world-class professionals specially trained in pediatric cancers.
Pediatric oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, pathologists and others work together to develop targeted and effective treatment plans, while professionals in psychology, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy and school reintegration provide support to patients and their families.
City of Hope specializes in the treatment of childhood cancers and blood disorders. With the ever-increasing number of childhood cancer survivors, we also emphasize long-term survivorship, providing continued surveillance to monitor and proactively address the long-term effects of childhood cancer.
At City of Hope, we take the advances made by researchers in our laboratories and turn them into lifesaving therapies as quickly as possible. Many of these new therapies are not always available elsewhere.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after pediatric cancer treatment.
Patient Stories


City of Hope is a member of the Children's Oncology Group, which maintains rigorous staffing, services and facilities standards for treating children's cancer. COG institutions treat 90% of all pediatric cancer cases in the U.S.
Through COG, City of Hope has access to the nation's largest group of clinical trials for pediatric and adolescent cancers.
We specialize in the treatment of cancers and blood disorders that occur most often in children, adolescents and young adults, including:
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Bone, joint and soft tissue tumors
- Brain tumors
- Neuroblastoma
- Hemophilia, sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia, and other blood disorders

City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.

Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.

Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
Clarke Anderson, M.D., is City of Hope's go-to professional for handling difficult and often heart-rending cases of cancer in small children, especially neuroblastomas, or tumors of the central nervous system.

Pediatric hematologist-oncologist Saro Armenian, D.O., M.P.H., is the Barron Hilton Chair in Pediatrics, with expertise in pediatric cancer, epidemiology and cancer survivorship.

Rusha Bhandari, M.D., M.S., is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Populations Sciences at City of Hope.

Vincent Chan, M.D., is a pediatrician and hospitalist at City of Hope.

Julie DiMundo, D.O., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
Nicole Karras, M.D., is a pediatric physician who specializes in treating children diagnosed with cancer, particularly blood cancers — such as leukemias and lymphomas — that would require stem cell transplant therapy.
Anna Pawlowska, M.D., specializes in treating young people with leukemia and directs our Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Program.

Shilpa Shahani, M.D., is a pediatric oncologist and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at City of Hope.
Leo David Wang, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and associate professor in the departments of Immuno-Oncology and Pediatrics.

Janet Yoon, M.D., is a clinical professor and medical director of the Pediatric Musculoskeletal Tumor Program, Department of Pediatrics at City of Hope Duarte.

For Lior Goldberg, M.D., his work as pediatric oncologist centers around curiosity, compassion and courage. He makes sure to genuinely get to know the patients and families he serves, sharing in the difficult aspects of cancer and its treatment while helping ease distress.
John A. Zaia, M.D., is the director of the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope and has expertise in stem cell and HIV/AIDS research.