Pediatric Oncologist

Because it doesn’t last forever, childhood should be fun, filled with ice cream, Saturday morning cartoons, and lots and lots of jumping on the bed. Unfortunately, childhood isn’t always filled with birthday parties and junk food. For some kids, it’s filled with nausea, headaches, and hospital beds, courtesy of cancer.

Although it’s uncommon — kids make up only about one percent of all cancer patients in the United States — cancer does occur in babies, children, and teens. And when it does, it’s devastating.

A Pediatric Oncologist diagnoses and treats cancer in patients under the age of 18. Specializing in childhood cancers like leukemia, Pediatric Oncologists do so with a special sensitivity and skill set, as pediatric cancer patients require unique and customized care due to their small size, immature immune systems, and developing anatomies.

That said, your job as a Pediatric Oncologist is similar in many respects to that of a regular Oncologist who treats adults. For example, it involves examining patients, evaluating symptoms, screening for and diagnosing cancers, offering prognoses, recommending treatments, prescribing drugs, and administering therapies, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

While those duties are standard, others are not: Since you work with children, you’re not only Doctor, but also Counselor, helping children and their families maintain hope and high spirits during treatment.

Cancer at any age is traumatic. Because it’s especially harrowing among children, however, your job requires giving not only treatment, but also education, empathy, and encouragement. Think of it this way: You’re not only fighting cancer; you’re defending childhood.