In the spirit of Christ and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Mission of OSF HealthCare is to serve persons with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life.
Following a diagnosis of cancer, your health care team will create a treatment plan for your child. This treatment plan will outline what types of medications/therapies will be used, how often they will be administered, and the expected length of treatment. The health care team will customize the plan to your child’s overall health, age, cancer type and stage of cancer.
To learn more about your child's illness, care and treatment options above, download this handbook.
Cancer treatments focus on destroying cancer cells, stopping their growth or preventing them from spreading. Your child may receive one type of or a combination of treatments as part of their care plan.
Chemotherapy is a general term for medications used to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells. Your child’s care plan will use the best medicine or combination of medicines available to most effectively combat your child’s specific type and stage of cancer.
Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells and is also used to help control side effects from other cancer treatments. Immunotherapy is sometimes referred to as either biotherapy or biological therapy.
Immunotherapy uses substances that naturally occur in the body to boost the functioning of the immune system. As a result, the body is able to destroy cancer cells more effectively. Because immunotherapy uses these substances, it can lessen the side effects of cancer treatments and help the body replace normal cells that have been damaged or destroyed. Immunotherapy may also help prevent the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy-X-rays to kill cancer cells. It is used to target tumors by delivering radiation to the tumor’s exact location. Sometimes, radiation takes place before surgery or chemotherapy is given to make the tumor small enough to remove, and other times, radiation takes place without the need for surgery.
Radiation therapy works by destroying or damaging rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells. It damages cells only in the area of the body where the radiation is applied. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation does not cause cell damage throughout the body. It can, however, damage healthy cells in the area being irradiated, but normal cells are better able to repair themselves.
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that precisely targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues. Traditional radiation therapy uses X-rays, which travel through the body and can affect both cancerous and healthy cells along their path. In contrast, proton therapy uses charged particles called protons that deliver radiation directly to the tumor with less exposure beyond the target area. This greater precision makes proton therapy especially beneficial for treating cancers located near vital organs or in sensitive areas, reducing side effects and protecting healthy tissue.
Surgery is used to treat cancer in a variety of ways, including diagnosis, tumor removal, or to support a child undergoing cancer treatment.
The role that surgery plays in the treatment depends upon the type, location and extent of the cancer. In some cases, the health care team may be able to take out a solid tumor. In other cases, chemotherapy or radiation may be used to shrink the size of a tumor so that it can be removed more easily during surgery.
Targeted therapies are a newer approach to cancer treatment and a major focus for research. These therapies use medications or other substances to stop the growth and spread of cancer.
Targeted therapies work by focusing on the ways cancer cells act differently from healthy cells and interrupting these processes. They “target” processes that play an important role in cancer growth so that cancer cells are unable to increase.
Procedures play an important role in diagnosing cancer, delivering treatment, and managing side effects. Some procedures are done just once, while others may be part of your child’s ongoing care and treatment plan.
A tumor biopsy is a procedure where a small piece of the tumor or tissue is carefully removed to check for cancer cells. This helps doctors understand the exact type of cancer and decide the best treatment plan. Biopsies can also show if treatment is working or if the cancer is in remission.
There are two main types:
Some biopsies require your child to be asleep under general anesthesia, while others may only need local numbing medicine. The type of anesthesia depends on where the biopsy is done and your child’s needs.
Diagnostic tests help us understand the cancer and how your child’s body responds to treatment. These tests are important tools that guide our care and treatment decisions.
Blood tests are one of the most common ways we monitor your child’s health during cancer treatment. They help doctors track the disease and choose the right treatment doses. Blood is usually drawn through a needle in a vein, but if your child has a central line, blood can be taken from there to reduce discomfort.
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. A bone marrow aspirate involves using a needle to gently pull out a small amount of liquid marrow to check if the cells are healthy or if cancer is present. A bone marrow biopsy may be done at the same time to remove a tiny piece of spongy marrow for testing. Both tests are done carefully, with anesthesia to keep your child comfortable.
For children who need chemotherapy or other treatments, having easy access to the bloodstream is very important. Central lines are special tubes placed in large veins to deliver medicine safely.
Two common types are:
Subcutaneous ports, such as mediports or port-a-caths, are completely placed under the skin, usually on the chest, and accessed with a special needle by medical staff when needed.
Imaging tests take pictures of the inside of the body to help doctors find tumors or infections. These tests are usually painless and use different technologies: sound waves, X-rays or small amounts of safe radioactive dye. Some common scans include:
Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create images of organs or tissues, often used for quick, painless exams.
The kidneys filter waste from the blood and make urine. Kidney tests check how well this is working by measuring substances in the blood or urine. These tests are simple and painless.
A lumbar puncture is a procedure where a small amount of fluid is taken from around the spinal cord to check for cancer cells or infection. This fluid protects and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes, medicine is also given through this procedure. Children usually receive medicine to help them relax or sleep during the procedure.
A pulmonary function test (PFT) measures how well the lungs are working by checking how much air they can hold and how easily your child can breathe out.
Understanding the possible side effects of cancer treatment is an important part of preparing your child and family for the journey ahead. Knowing what to expect helps you manage symptoms and support your child’s comfort throughout and after treatment.