Cancer in Children: Your Child’s Healthcare Team

A team of highly trained specialists will help manage your child’s care. You and your child will work closely with them. They will help you make choices about your child’s health. They will help you and your child cope with cancer and  its treatment. They can also answer your questions.

Team members

Below are some of the people who may care for your child. You may already know a few of them:

• Attending oncologist. A doctor who manages cancer in children. This doctor leads the healthcare team. He or she works with other team members to ensure the best care for your child.
• Fellow. A doctor who cares for children (pediatrician) and is training to treat kids with cancer. Fellows often work in teaching hospitals. 
• Resident. A doctor who may be training to be a pediatrician. Residents often work in teaching hospitals.
• Clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner. A nurse who gives care to children with cancer. These professionals may help the doctor manage your child’s symptoms. They may help adjust medicines. They may perform medical exams.
• Nurses. Professionals who give patient care. They teach and give support to the child and family.
• Social worker. A professional trained to help with the complex social, emotional, and financial challenges that occur when a family member is ill.
• Pathologist. A doctor who figures out the type of cancer your child has. To do this, he or she looks at cells under a microscope and reviews lab tests.
• Genetic counselor. A specialist who helps to find out if diseases run in families, identify your child’s risks and plan cancer treatments. He or she can order genetic testing if needed.
• Nutritionist. A specialist who helps with your child’s nutrition. He or she can teach you about a special diet for your child if needed. 
• Child life specialist. A specialist trained in child development. He or she studies how children react to illness and hospitalization. This team member helps you and your child cope while your child is in the hospital.
• School Teachers. The New York City Department of Education provides certified teachers for all hospitalized children and young adults who are enrolled in elementary through high school. Teachers assist children in keeping up with schoolwork during their hospital stay and can help arrange home instruction when appropriate.
• Psychologist. A specialist who helps your child and family cope with feelings that may occur due to illness.
• Radiation oncologist. A doctor who treats cancer with radiation.
• Pediatric surgeon. A doctor who does surgery on children.
• Anesthesiologist. A doctor who uses medicine to help your child sleep through procedures.
• Physical therapist and occupational therapist. These are specialists who help improve strength and motor skills. They can also help your child relearn daily tasks.
• Pharmacist. A specialist trained to prepare and give out medicine.
• Family doctor or pediatrician. This doctor is the primary care provider who likely has followed your child over the years for general healthcare. He or she may have been involved in the early workup and diagnosis of cancer. This doctor may be less involved in treating cancer. But it is important to keep him or her updated on your child's progress. This doctor may be following your child more closely again in the future.
• Spiritual Care Team.  Chaplains, priests, or rabbis are available around the clock to meet with you and your family. A Spiritual Care Team member can talk with you about your diagnosis and help you cope with the emotions that accompany illness and treatment.  He or she can also provide counseling on faith-related issues, support  you and your family during difficult conversations, and offers prayer, if desired.

Other Specialists

Other specialists may help care for your child. The type of specialist will depend on the type of cancer your child has. Each of these doctors focuses on a different body part or system:

• Palliative care physician: specializes in preserving quality of life and managing side effects of treatments
• Cardiologist: heart
• Endocrinologist: glands and hormones
• Dermatologist: skin
• Gastroenterologist: digestive system
• Geneticist: genetic (inherited) conditions
• Hematologist: blood and blood-making organs
• Nephrologist: kidneys
• Neurologist: brain and nervous system
• Ophthalmologist: eyes
• Orthopedist: bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments
• Pulmonologist: lungs
• Urologist: urinary tract