Cancer Services
Every five days, a child in the St. Louis region is diagnosed with cancer. When faced with numerous questions, the prospect of scary treatments and an uncertain future, parents want to know that the very best clinical professionals are caring for their child. The nationally ranked Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital offers the latest treatments, the best research and the power of presence for the children and families in our care.
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, we recognize that children’s needs are unique. Their care requires a collaborative relationship among doctors, nurses and other caregivers who are dedicated to healing them today and discovering new cures for future generations of children.
A calming, healing environment is essential to a family’s hospital experience. Our services are provided in family-centered spaces designed specifically for children. The outpatient center offers a convenient location for children to receive infusions, chemotherapy or other treatments without being admitted to the hospital, thereby minimizing disruptions to their everyday lives.
For children in need of more intensive services, our inpatient oncology unit becomes a second home. Children can sometimes be hospitalized for weeks or months at a time, and our large patient rooms, comfortable sleeper sofas, playroom, family lounge and multi-use room provide a welcoming environment where children can heal, and families can spend time together.
Children come to The Costas Center for treatment of more than just cancer. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is a designated treatment and research center for sickle cell disease, which is a common blood disorder among minority children. We participate in nationwide collaborations that investigate new treatments, therapies and preventive screenings for conditions that commonly occur in children with sickle cell disease, such as stroke or heart disease.
Hope for Tomorrow
When SSM Health Cardinal Glennon opened its doors in 1956, treatments for childhood cancers were minimal. Today, thanks to ongoing research, early detection methods and new treatment protocols, the chances of a child surviving cancer can be as high as 95%.
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is a member of some of the nation’s most prestigious cancer research groups. We are a founding member of the Beat Childhood Cancer Consortium and actively participate in many other collaborations including the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Children’s Oncology Group. These memberships allow our skilled physicians to provide the same treatments and clinical trials at home that are offered at other children’s hospitals across the nation.
Donor support plays a vital role in The Costas Center’s research efforts. Two specially trained nurses, called Clinical Research Associates, coordinate the enrollment of patients in more than 65 clinical trials, ensure all regulatory documentation is current and accurate, and educate Costas Center staff about protocols for various trials and studies. These two important positions are fully funded by philanthropy
Bone Marrow Transplant Program
With one-year survival rates over 90%, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s bone marrow transplant program has consistently been among the top centers of its kind in the country.
Bone marrow transplants are prescribed to treat certain types of leukemia, aplastic anemia, immune deficiencies, bone marrow failure, sickle cell disease and more. Whether the donor cells come from a sibling, umbilical cord blood or an unrelated donor matched through national bone marrow registries, it is difficult to describe the level of detail involved in preparing a family for transplant.
Following their transplant, children spend six to eight weeks in isolation while their immune system rebuilds. The nursing staff works closely with Child Life, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, the Shining Star School and our facility dog to ensure the entire family has the emotional, mental and spiritual support they need.
Once the child recovers and goes home, their relationship with The Costas Center continues. Follow-up appointments and ongoing support continue for many years.
Exceptional Care for All Ages
As a pediatric hospital, many patients seen at The Costas Center are under age 18. Due to the nature of some cancers and the expertise of our medical staff, we see some patients into adulthood through our Adolescent and Young Adult Program. This special service is focused on quality of life and long-term survival for our older patients and includes teen camps, support groups, palliative care for symptom management, and academic support through our Shining Star School.
As more and more children and adolescents become cancer survivors, their long-term health is increasingly important. Our Late Effects Program provides care coordination for adult patients, so they are well-informed and empowered regarding their treatment. Additional specialists address each patient’s specific needs.
Why Your Support Matters
Treating cancer is expensive, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per patient. No matter the cost, we never turn a family away due to an inability to pay. That is why your generous support is so important.
Research
The Costas Center is a member of many of the nation’s most prestigious cancer research groups, enabling our skilled physicians to provide the very latest in treatment protocols and clinical trials.
Operational Support
Care coordination, Child Life, mental health and other supportive services all rely on donor support so that we may address the physical, social and spiritual needs of our families.
Program Enhancements
To complement current treatment options, we have begun offering CAR T-cell therapy and continue our work in the growing field of personalized medicine.
Technology
Your support allows us to stay at the forefront of technology in pediatric cancer treatment as we strive for a 100% cure rate, including new software that automates chemotherapy dosing for the safest care.
“Part of what attracted me to pediatric oncology is the challenge of skillfully providing intensive and complex care to children, in addition to the lifelong relationships that I develop with my patients. It is very gratifying to see a former patient who was not only cured of what was once an incurable cancer but is also showing off a child of their own.”
– William S. Ferguson, MD - Medical Director, The Costas Center
To learn more about Pediatric Oncology at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Click Here.