Our blood cancer experts use advanced therapies to treat childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Learn why you should choose us for blood cancer treatment.

Blood cancers are the most common types of cancer in children. Leukemia and lymphoma account for nearly 40 percent of all childhood cancers.

At Johns Hopkins All Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, we have the expertise to successfully treat these complex conditions. Thanks to our comprehensive approach to blood cancer treatment, we’re able to offer many children a cure.

We understand the toll leukemia and lymphoma treatment can take on children and their families. Our compassionate team is here to provide the support you need while navigating blood cancer treatment.

Why Choose Us for Blood Cancer Treatment?

When your child comes to us for leukemia or lymphoma treatment, you can expect:

• Experience and expertise: We are among the largest programs in southwest Florida for childhood leukemia and lymphoma, seeing about 200 patients per year. Our team treats about 30 to 50 new cases per year and receives additional referrals from throughout the region. That high volume leads to better outcomes for all our patients.
• Advanced treatments: We offer patients advanced chemotherapy techniques, lifesaving bone marrow transplants and CAR T-cell therapy.
• Expanded safety measures: Our oncology ward is specially designed to help reduce infection transmission. We know that blood cancer treatment can leave children at higher risk for infectious diseases, and we take every precaution to prevent that.
• High success rates: Our innovative treatments are saving the lives of children with blood cancer. In most cases, we can cure children of leukemia or lymphoma.
• Cancer screening program: We offer the only pediatric full-body MRI on Florida’s west coast to screen for cancer. If one child in your family has an inherited gene mutation (cancer predisposition gene) associated with blood cancer, we can screen siblings, carefully monitoring them for the earliest signs of cancer.
• Access to clinical trials: As part of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), we collaborate with other hospitals in groundbreaking clinical trials. We are a designated Phase 1 center for COG clinical trials. And as a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, which is based in Baltimore, we can offer our patients the chance to participate in Johns Hopkins Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials — without leaving Florida. Find out more about our clinical trials for blood cancers.
• Compassionate care: Our team of social workers, patient and family relations specialists and Child Life specialists is committed to supporting you and your child through every step of the process.

Blood Cancers We Treat

Our hematology and oncology experts specialize in treating all types of childhood blood cancers:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Learn more about our childhood leukemia and lymphoma programs.

Our Approach to Treatment

At Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, we offer the most advanced therapies available for childhood lymphoma and leukemia on Florida’s west coast, including:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses targeted medications to destroy cancer cells. We use varying doses of chemotherapy and sometimes combinations of different chemotherapy drugs. The goal is to put the cancer into remission. Remission means that the body stops making new lymphoma or leukemia We also use chemotherapy to prepare your child for a bone marrow transplant.
• Immunotherapy: We use medications, such as nivolumab and brentuximab, that help the body’s immune system target and kill lymphoma cells.
• Radiation: Doses of high-energy radiation can help kill or slow the growth of lymphoma cells. We often use radiation along with chemotherapy. Sometimes, we use the combination as part of your child’s preparation for a bone marrow transplant.
• Bone marrow transplant (BMT): A bone marrow transplant can be a lifesaving treatment for aggressive pediatric lymphoma or for patients with leukemia. Our expertise with different transplant types means better outcomes for our patients. Learn more about our stem cell and bone marrow transplant program.
• CAR T-cell therapy: We are one of the few pediatric cancer centers in Florida to offer this innovative treatment for childhood lymphoma or leukemia. A patient’s blood cells are genetically modified to recognize and attack lymphoma cells. Our team performs a of CAR T-cell therapy treatments with excellent success rates. Learn more about our CAR T-cell therapy program.
• Clinical trials: As a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, we offer access to leading-edge treatments. Your child can participate in Johns Hopkins clinical trials without leaving Florida. We also collaborate with Children’s Oncology Group and other pediatric hospitals to provide the latest treatment options and improve childhood lymphoma survival rates. Learn more about our current lymphoma and leukemia clinical trials.