What do we do?
In the United Kingdom, treatment for children's cancers is divided between just 22 centres that are part of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG). Of these, the Paediatric Oncology Unit in Manchester is the third largest. Around 130 new children, aged from 0 -16 years, with cancer are referred to the Unit every year. For more information about the UKCCSG click here

The Unit treats all types of children's cancer, working with other specialist centres to treat rarer cancers, such as bone cancer or retinoblastoma. The Unit also works closely with the Young Oncology Unit at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, which admits children and young people up to the age of 24 years. Both Units have strong links with local Universities, and are involved in research into treatment of children's cancers as well as the effects of children's cancers on the children themselves and their families.

The Paediatric Oncology Unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is made up of

• Borchardt clinic for oncology/ haematology out-patients Borchardt Ward
• Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit
  

Who are we?

Members of the team can be contacted by phoning the hospital Switchboard on 0161 794 4696 and asking to be put through to the extension number listed.

What if I think my child may have a cancer/what to look out for
If you are worried that your child might have a cancer, you should go and see your family doctor (GP) as soon as possible. Your GP will then decide whether your child should be sent to see a doctor who specialises in treating children's cancers.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has produced information for the public about guidelines for suspected cancers. The guidelines are for doctors to help ensure that anyone with a suspected cancer is seen quickly if the doctor thinks he or she may have cancer. This information can be seen by clicking here

You will also find information about what to look out for, and tests that may be carried out if your doctor thinks you child might have a cancer.

Referral criteria
All urgent referrals should be faxed to the Department by the patient's GP on 0161 728 3529 using the urgent referral form.

Treatment for children's cancers
Children's cancer treatments are different from treatment of adult cancers.
Children are cared for by either a Consultant Paediatric Haematologist or
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, rather than by a Specialist for the body system or speciality their cancer falls into, as adults are.
Most 'treatments' are not only research based, but form part of large
national or international research studies.

Some of these studies are phase I or II clinical trials, where 'new' chemotherapy drugs are investigated to see if they are successful in treating children with cancer. These drugs are also offered to some children when 'standard' treatment fails. For information about research into children's cancers click here

Children may go to the Christie hospital for part of their treatment. A lot of people worry that going to the Christie means that their cancer must be worse. This is not true. The team at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital works closely with the doctors at the Christie Hospital. This means that some people go to the Christie Hospital for treatment because that is where the doctors are based rather than because their cancer is worse. All children needing radiotherapy go to the Christie Hospital because that is where the radiotherapy machines are.

For general information about treatment for cancers click here

For information about treatment of children's cancers click here

Wards at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where children with cancer are treated

Borchardt Clinic Telephone: 0161 727 2696
Outpatient follow up is provided by Borchardt Clinic. Clinic is a source of information and support for families who are receiving ongoing treatment and also forfamilies who have completed treatment. Treatments are administered within theclinic,ie chemotherapy and Hickman line flushes. Any individualised patient care is carried out. The clinic also coordinates and carries out a weekly general anaesthetic list to monitor bone marrow status and administer intrathecal chemotherapy. Borchardt Clinic is the first point of contact for families who are being admitted for treatment and investigations. Patients are also seen on an emergency basis within the clinic.
Clinic is open : 8.30pm-4.00pm Mon- Fri

Oncology Day Unit Telephone: 0161 727 2696
Children attend the Oncology Day Unit to be given treatments such as chemotherapy, immunoglobulin transfusions, and blood transfusions, as well as for investigations to be carried out. The unit is open Monday - Friday and has three beds and one chair.

Borchardt Oncology Ward Telephone: 0161 727 2484
The ward consists of 5 cubicles and 10 beds, with a large playroom, and a schoolroom. The treatment room has multi-sensory lights and a bubble tube to distract children whole procedures are carried out. Parents' accommodation is available below the ward as well as at the bedside, but the ward staff cannot guarantee that accommodation will be available for more than one relative.

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Telephone: 0161 727 2565
The unit consists of 7 individual cubicles for children who need to be nursed in isolation, to prevent them picking up infections. The air in the cubicles also passes through a 'HEPA' filter to clean it. A Play Specialist is available for children who are being nursed in isolation. Parents accommodation is available.

Support for children and their families
Bone Marrow Transplant Co-ordinator
The Bone Marrow Transplant Co-ordinator offers support and information to all children and their families before, during and after bone marrow transplant. Where possible the Bone Marrow Transplant Co-ordinator sees families

• Before the transplant, either at home or in hospital, to talk about bone marrow transplantation
• During admission to discuss any issues that arise and to offer support
• Following discharge, at out-patient appointments and at home

The Bone Marrow Transplant Co-ordinator provides a link between the hospital and community, contacting any other professionals who are involved in the child's care, such as Health Visitor or Community Paediatric Nurse.

Paediatric Macmillan Nurses
The Paediatric Macmillan Nurses

• Provide information and support to families of children with cancer
• Facilitate and co-ordinate the care of children with cancer who are being looked after at home
• Give advice on all aspects of care for children with cancer and their families
• Facilitate palliative or terminal care, if needed
• Provide specialist support and advice to help Primary Health Care Teams to meet the needs of children and families at home
• Work to build good relationships with others to promote an integrated approach to care
• Take part in research educationa programmes with other members of the team
• Liaise with schools to help with reintegration

Paediatric Oncology Research Nurses
The Paediatric Oncology Research Nurses work with and support children and families who are thinking about taking part in a research study, as well as those who are taking part. They will visit children at home or at school if necessary, as well as members of the Primary Health Care Team if appropriate for a particular child.

Research Nurses organise and co-ordinate research studies and audits to see how well treatments work. They work closely with other members of the Oncology Team, co-ordinating the care of children taking part in these studies, by arranging medical follow-ups, taking blood samples, completing questionnaires as part of the research, organising scans or other tests, and providing counselling or general support. They are also involved in all aspects of local research projects, working closely with medical colleagues and obtaining consent to take part in studies from children and families.

Other sources of support

There are many different types of self-help and support groups. They may be set up by people who wanted help to cope with their illness or treatment, or by professionals. The activities they offer may vary. For example, some hold informal get togethers or structured meetings with activities and speakers. Some groups may produce a newsletter, offer telephone or internet support, befriending and home or hospital visiting.

The authors of this site do not endorse any particular groups, and anyone looking for a support group is advised to find out more about the group, including who runs it, what it offers and what its aims are.

There are many support groups available for people affected by children's cancers. Rather than list them all here please visit the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group site, www.cclg.org which lists organisations in its 'useful links' section.

Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
University of Leicester
3rd Floor
Hearts of Oak House
Princess Rd West
Leicester
LE1 6TH
0116 249 4460
www.cclg.org
Quarterly magazine for the families of children with cancer available on website, and list of childhood cancer support organisations in the useful links section.

Help Adolescents With Cancer [HAWC]
1st Floor
Post Office Building
338 Hollinwood Avenue
New Moston M40 0JB
Tel: 0161 688 6244
Fax: Manchester 0161 682 4020
E-mail: niki@hawc.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.hawc-co-uk.com
Support by telephone and letter for young people with cancer or another life threatening illness.

CLIC Sargent:
Griffin House
161 Hammersmith Road
London W6 8SG
Tel: 0845 301 0031
Local contact tel: 0161 610 7150
E-mail: info@clicsargent.org.uk
Website: www.clicsargent.org.uk/
Information and emotional and financial support for young people under the age of 21 affected by cancer, and their families. Information also available in Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Welsh.

Wessex Cancer Trust
Bellis House
11 Westwood Road
Southampton SO17 1DL
Tel: 023 8077 5611
E-mail: wct@wessexcancer.org
Website www.wessexcancer.org
Produces 'Your Guide to Radiotherapy' leaflets for children of different ages, 'The child with cancer in school - a guide for teachers' and 'We can make it! - teenagers guide to beating cancer' available by post.

Teenage Cancer Trust
3rd Floor, 93 Newman Street

London
W1T 3EZ
Tel: 020 7612 0370
Fax: 020 7612 0371
www.teenagecancertrust.org
Information and support for teenagers with cancer, their families and friends.

Cancerbackup
3 Bath Place
Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3JR
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Cancer information charity, providing up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7EQ
Macmillan CancerLine freephone helpline 0808 808 2020
Textphone: 0808 808 0121
www.macmillan.org.uk
Support and information for people affected by cancer, including information on cancer support and care charities in the UK, and leaflets/booklets about different cancers and living with cancer. Also information about Macmillan services, from nursing to grants.
Link to Language Line to help callers in up to 150 languages.

NHS Direct
Telephone service: 0845 46 47
Textphone 0845 606 46 47
NHS Direct Online www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
24 hour confidential nurse advice and health information telephone service with access to interpreters
Online information

Cancer Aid and Listening Line
Tel: 0845 123 23 29
Confidential helpline for people affected by cancer, run by trained volunteers with personal experience of cancer.
Website www.canceraid.co.uk

Useful links:
Information produced by Cancerbackup about children's cancers: http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/info/childrens-cancer.htm

Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group:
http://www.ukccsg.org

CLIC Sargent - Fighting the Big 'C' :A Guide For Young People (Cancer Patients) and Their Families to Understanding Cancer and Its Treatment :
click here

Leukaemia Research Fund site with information about blood cancers:
www.lrf.org.uk Click here for link to 'Jack's Diary', produced by the Leukaemia Research Fund, written for children, which tells the story of a child with leukaemia

Neuroblastoma Society
3 Bradley Close
Great Dunmow
Essex
CM6 2PB
Tel: 01371 876254
Website: www.nsoc.co.uk
Support and information for parents about tests, procedures, treatment and coping with neuroblastoma. Befriending service and newsletter.

Captain Chemo Comic strip created by a young cancer patient from the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, turned into an interactive computer game. Site also has information about diagnosis and treatment in two versions, one for young children and one for older children.
www.royalmarsden.org/captchemo/index.asp

If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please e-mail us by clicking here.