About the Pediatric Solid Tumor Program
The childhood, adolescent and young adult solid tumor program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, consists of a multidisciplinary team focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers arising in solid organs outside of the central nervous system.
What Is a Solid Tumor?
A solid tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that can arise from nearly any organ. Solid tumors make up about 40 percent of all pediatric cancers and 68 percent of adolescent and young adult cancers. The good news is not all solid tumors are malignant (cancerous). While surgery remains important in the diagnosis of solid tumors, curing children of these tumors may involve different specialties and necessitate complex therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, cellular therapy, stem cell transplantation and radiotherapy.
Pediatric Solid Tumor Treatment
- Liver tumors [Our Clinical Trials, Patient Information]: In select cases, liver transplant, in addition to chemotherapy, may be necessary to cure a patient with hepatoblastoma or hepatocellular carcinoma. We work closely with the pediatric liver transplant program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital to identify the best surgical approach for each child. Each case is discussed by a tumor board that includes pediatric oncologists, a hepatologist, pediatric surgeon, liver transplant surgeon, radiologists, radiotherapist and pathologist to determine the best tailored therapy.
- Kidney tumors [Our Clinical Trials, Patient Information]: The successful treatment of children with Wilms’ tumor or renal cell carcinoma requires more than simply removing the tumor – kidney function must be maintained. The urologists at MFCH have extensive experience with nephron sparing surgery, which preserves the most normal kidney tissue possible. The best therapy for each patient is discussed by a tumor board consisting of pediatric oncologists, urologists, radiologists, a radiotherapist and pathologist.
- Sarcomas [Our Clinical Trials, Patient Information]: Musculoskeletal tumors, including osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma can have profound effects on children’s quality of life, as these tumors frequently involve the arms and legs. Together, with our orthopaedic surgeons and radiation oncologists, we can use innovative treatment strategies including limb sparing surgery and radiation therapy (including brachytherapy) to preserve limb function while curing children from their cancers.
- Germ cell tumors [Our Clinical Trials, Patient Information]: Tumors arising from the ovaries and testes require a nuanced approach to treatment. Some tumors are cured by a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, while for others, surgery alone will suffice. The appropriate therapy for each patient is discussed by a tumor board comprising pediatric oncologists, urologists, adolescent gynecologists, radiologists and pathologists.
- Neuroblastoma [Our Clinical Trials, Patient Information]: Neuroblastoma can develop in a variety of places in the body, including the neck, chest, spine, and adrenal glands. Multimodal therapy, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation, may be used – especially in the setting of advanced disease. Our stem cell transplantation capabilities include a cellular and tissue engineering laboratory, and our physicians have been pioneers in the field.
Unique Features of our Pediatric Cancer Treatment Program
Integrated Care
The Solid Tumor Program believes in integrated care and team science. This means that a group of providers cares for you as a whole person and not just your illness. In addition, our tradition of family-centered care involves you and your support system as part of your care team to help you achieve your goals for health.
Many professionals work with the Solid Tumor Program to address all actual and potential needs and complications arising during the course of treatment and follow-up. Because all patients are treated through the inpatient and outpatient facilities associated with Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, all pediatric specialty services are readily available. These include pharmacy services, pathology, cardiology, otolaryngology, radiology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, nephrology, urology, adolescent medicine and psychiatry. Registered dietitians, audiologists, child life specialists, physical therapists, and pain specialists all play a critical role in maintaining each patient’s overall health and quality of life.
Academic and Research Activities
The Solid Tumor Program is also focused on the education of students, residents and fellows who will be conducting scholarly and peer reviewed clinical, translational and basic research in solid tumors. Furthermore, several exciting novel basic, translational and clinical research programs have been developed that focus specifically on neuroblastoma, kidney, liver, bone, soft tissue and germ cell tumors. As a result, the program is equipped to design and deliver customized and personalized therapy for each child and adolescent in the cancer center diagnosed with a solid tumor.
For more information about the program, please call 914.614.4270.
Director: Mehmet Ozkaynak, MD
Associate Director: Jeremy Rosenblum, MD
Program Coordinator: Rebecca Belsky, RN, CPNP
Clinical Nurse Educator: Connie Leonick, MS, RN, CPNP
Types of Pediatric Cancers and Tumors We Treat
The Solid Tumor Program Team specializes in treating patients with tumors that affect body organs including the kidney, liver, soft tissue, bones, and other body structures. Some of these include:
Joining Pediatric Oncologists With a Specialized Team of Experts
The Solid Tumor Program consists of a multidisciplinary team focused on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers that are found in solid organs of the body, not including the central nervous system. Our designation as a Children’s Oncology Group (COG) site affirms our standard of excellence for pediatric cancer care. Our oncologists and nurse practitioners collaborate with other pediatric cancer centers across the country to offer children innovative treatments. Clinical trials are available and widely used to improve the efficacy of treatment while reducing toxic side effects.
At the heart of the program, the clinical members of Solid Tumor Team include pediatric oncologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and a psychologist. Your pediatric oncologist and nurse practitioner will be with you throughout the course of your treatment to direct and coordinate your care. The Solid Tumor Nurse Practitioner ensures tight communication among members of the treatment and support teams, assists with the coordination of tests and procedures, provides education related to all aspects of the workup and treatment plan, and directs the patient and family to other team members who can help to identify additional support and resources.
Collaborating With Gynecologic Oncology and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery
The Pediatric Solid Tumor Service also collaborates with the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery for those who may present with gynecologic cancers. The Gynecologic Oncology Division is the Comprehensive Academic Oncologic Gynecology Service for the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, and serves as a major referral center for regions between Albany and the New York City line.
In addition to four Gynecologic Oncologists, specialty services within the Division include Gynecologic Pathology, Radiology, Radiation Therapy, an Infusion Unit, and advanced surgical services including robotics and other minimally invasive and fertility sparing surgery. Patient treatment decisions are made through the Tumor Board that includes multiple members of the Division’s Gynecologic Oncology team in collaboration with other specialists, such as radiation oncologists, medical oncologist and pediatric oncologists.
Contact Us
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital
100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
914.614.4270
Andrew Bellantoni, MD
Andrew.Bellantoni@wmchealth.org
914.614.4270
Mehmet Ozkaynak, MD
Mehmet_Ozkaynak@nymc.edu
914.614.4270
Jeremy Rosenblum, MD
Jeremy.Rosenblum@wmchealth.org
914.614.4270
Nurse Coordinator:
Rebecca Belsky, RN, CPNP
Rebecca_Belsky@bchphyscians.org
914.614.4270
By Car
Train
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is served by Metro North's Harlem line via two stations:
- White Plains - Bus transfer options available
- Hawthorne - Taxi service available
For train fare and schedule information, call 1-800-METRO-INFO or go to METRO NORTH
Bus
There are three bus lines (Westchester Bee Line) you can take to our campus. Please call 914.813.7777 for bus routes and fares.
Campus Map
The Westchester Medical Center campus includes the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and the Behavioral Health Center.
- Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Christa Grant, MD
Attending Surgeon
Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery
- Surgery, Pediatric Surgery
- Surgery
Edward Halperin, MD
Chancellor, Chief Executive Officer New York Medical College,
Department of Radiation Medicine
- Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Jeremy Rosenblum, MD
Associate Director, Solid Tumor Program
Director, Pediatric Musculoskeletal Oncology Program
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
- Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Fray Stewart, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, New York Medical College,
Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Westchester Medical Center
- Surgery, Pediatric Surgery
- Intra-Abdominal Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery
- General Surgery
Nurse Coordinator:
Rebecca Belsky, RN, CPNP
Rebecca_Belsky@bchphyscians.org
914.614.4270
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