Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma

At City of Hope, our multidisciplinary team of pediatric oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists and other specialists provides comprehensive care for children, adolescents and young adults with leukemia and lymphoma. Our patients can access the groundbreaking research, clinical trials and innovative approaches not found anywhere else.
 
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and the most common malignancy in children, accounting for approximately 30% of all pediatric cancer diagnoses. Lymphomas develop in the body's lymphatic system and are the third most common pediatric cancer after leukemia and brain tumors.
 

Conditions We Treat

Our team specializes in a range of leukemia and lymphoma types, such as:

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Acute myeloid leukemia
  • Chronic myelogenous leukemia
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
  • B cell lymphoma (Burkitt and Burkitt-like lymphoma)
  • Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
  • Lymphoblastic lymphoma
  • T cell lymphoma
  • MK cell lymphoma

Currently, many types of treatment for children with leukemia or lymphoma exist. The most common is chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation or immunotherapy (designed to help the body's immune system fight cancer cells).

 

The City of Hope Difference

 

At City of Hope, our internationally renowned leukemia and lymphoma specialists tailor a personalized treatment plan with the best outcomes. In addition to first-time patients, we take on challenging cases referred to us from other centers — aggressive, treatment-resistant or very high-risk diseases that have recurred or failed to respond to standard therapy. In addition, we work with referring doctors to ease the continuation of treatment and manage complications.

 

We also aim to bring an innovative approach to treatment, thanks to City of Hope's leading-edge research and our partnership with Children's Oncology Group and Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium (POETIC). For information on our ongoing pediatric cancer clinical trials and how to participate, visit our clinical trials page. Our adolescent and young adult patients may be eligible for trials and novel treatments for adults while benefiting from our pediatric program's family-centered approach.

 

Our pediatric stem cell transplantation program is one of the world's largest and most successful. We are also among a select group of institutions offering CAR T cell immunotherapy and developing lifesaving breakthroughs.

Living With Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma

Our psychologists, social workers, child life, recreational, occupational and physical therapy professionals, music therapists and school reintegration staff provide individual attention and group activities for our pediatric patients and families.

Learn about supportive care at City of HopeLearn how we support our adolescent and young adult patients

Our Survivorship Program

Another unique benefit of being a pediatric patient at City of Hope is that we ensure a continuum of care for this special group into their adult years. While most children diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma can be cured, some patients experience long-term side effects related to treatment. These patients may face unique health and psychological challenges as they age.

Our Childhood, Adolescent And Young Adult Survivorship Program is specially designed to meet the follow-up needs of childhood cancer survivors, who are evaluated annually by a team of health care professionals with expertise in survivorship issues.

Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Care Team

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Saro H. Armenian, D.O., M.P.H.
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Duarte - Main Campus

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.

Nicole A. Karras, M.D.
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; Associate Clinical Professor, Pediatrics
Duarte - Main Campus

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.

Lindsey_Murphy
Lindsey Murphy, M.D., M.S.
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Duarte - Main Campus

Lindsey Murphy, M.D., M.S., is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

Anna Pawlowska, M.D.
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Duarte - Main Campus

Anna Pawlowska, M.D., specializes in treating young people with leukemia and directs our Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Program.

Rachelle Levy, MSN, CPNP-AC, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | City of Hope
Rachelle Levy
M.S.N., CPNP-AC, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Rachelle V. Levy is a pediatric hematology oncology nurse practitioner in the Department of Pediatrics at City of Hope. She has five years of experience as a nurse, primarily training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her nurse practitioner training was with their CAR T-cell and neuro-oncology programs. She joined City of Hope in 2022, with her practice focusing on leukemia, lymphoma and cellular therapies. Education Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Master of Science, Nursing, Focus on Pediatric Acute Care and Concentration in Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Professional Experience 2022-present, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 2018-2022, Nurse, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA Board Certifications California Board of Registered Nursing Pediatric Nursing Certification Board APHON NAPNAP CANP ELNEC COG
Yossyanne Simbolon, PNP
Yossyanne Simbolon, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Yossyanne is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner in the Department of Pediatrics at City of Hope. She currently provides care to pediatric patients in the acute care setting and has served the community as a primary care provider and as nurse educator in both clinical and theoretical settings Education Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Loma Linda University Master of Science in Nursing, from California State University, Long Beach Licenses and Affiliations Board of Nursing California Pediatric Nursing Certification Board End of Life Care Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Children’s Oncology Group NIH National Cancer Institute