Paediatric Haemotology and Oncology

While survival rates for children with cancer have increased in recent times, the increased use of more aggressive therapies has brought with it significant adverse effects. Therefore, the aim of pediatric oncologists has become to achieve "cure at least cost" by the appropriate reduction of the intensity and/or duration of treatment in carefully identified good prognosis patients.

By comprehensively covering these issues, this handbook aims to provide residents in pediatric hematology and oncology, as well as staff in related medical or other healthcare disciplines, with an easily accessible source of information about the basic principles of childhood cancer and leukemia, as well as much of the more detailed specialist knowledge required to care for children with these conditions. Divided into sections to allow quick access to the necessary information, the handbook covers general principles of diagnosis and treatment, short and long term care, and oncological emergencies before moving on to chapters on specific disease. Normal values and useful websites are also included for reference.

While survival rates for children with cancer have increased in recent times, the increased use of more aggressive therapies has brought with it significant adverse effects. Therefore, the aim of pediatric oncologists has become to achieve "cure at least cost" by the appropriate reduction of the intensity and/or duration of treatment in carefully identified good prognosis patients.

By comprehensively covering these issues, this handbook aims to provide residents in pediatric hematology and oncology, as well as staff in related medical or other healthcare disciplines, with an easily accessible source of information about the basic principles of childhood cancer and leukemia, as well as much of the more detailed specialist knowledge required to care for children with these conditions. Divided into sections to allow quick access to the necessary information, the handbook covers general principles of diagnosis and treatment, short and long term care, and oncological emergencies before moving on to chapters on specific disease. Normal values and useful websites are also included for reference.

Simon Bailey is a paediatric oncologist based in Newcastle upon Tyne with a special interest in brain tumours and leukaemia. He did his initial medical training in Cape Town before specialising in paediatrics and paediatric oncology in Newcastle, which included a year in Wellington, New Zealand. He has a PhD in the molecular basis of steroid therapy in leukaemia. Rod Skinner qualified in medicine from Birmingham University in 1983. He trained in paediatrics and paediatric oncology in Newcastle upon Tyne, and was appointed Consultant and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Oncology / Bone Marrow Transplantation in 1995. He was awarded a PhD in 1995 for clinical research into nephrotoxicity in children treated for cancer. His main clinical interests are treatment of childhood haematological malignancy and aplastic anaemia, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, with clinical research interests in late adverse effects of treatment for maligancy, and supportive care in children undergoing such treatment. He is currently Chairman of Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group Supportive Care Group, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Working Party on Immunisation in Immunocompromised Children.