The objectives of the Division are to provide high quality, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary care, education and research to advance pediatric hematology/oncology, and to advocate on behalf of children and youth with blood disorders and cancers.

The Division’s faculty consists of eight full-time and two part-time members who are dedicated to optimizing care and training for the pediatricians and pediatric hematologists/ oncologists of tomorrow. We share an interest in the ongoing professional development of our physicians and in maintaining high standards for medical education.

The Division participates in numerous clinical trials, including those led by the Children’s Oncology Group (International), the C17 Research Network (Canada), the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

The Division is a member of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), the C17 Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Network and the Children’s Oncology Group, among others. 

To learn more about members of the Hematology/Oncology team — including their biographies, area(s) of practice, research interests and other affiliations — visit CHEO’s Find Your Doctor Directory or visit the CHEO Research Institute's site to Find A Researcher.

Hospital care

The Hematology/Oncology Division provides both inpatient and consultation services. Patients are admitted to CHEO to the 4North unit under the care of a hematologist/oncologist.

Outpatient care

Outpatient care is provided in the clinic in the Gary Cardiff wing. Clinics are conducted on a daily basis for various subspecialties, including:

Oncology

• bone tumors (Ewing’s sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma)  
• germ cell tumors
• histiocytic disorders
• leukemia
• lymphoma
• myelodysplastic disorders
• neuroblastoma
• neurofibromatosis
• neuro-oncology  
• oncology follow-up (children and adults)
• post-bone marrow transplant care
• renal tumors
• liver tumors
• soft tissue sarcomas

Hematology

• aplastic anemia  
• coagulation disorders
• hematology/gynecology for adolescents  
• hemophilia/Von Willebrand disease
• hemochromatosis
• immune thrombocytopenia
• neutropenia
• platelet function disorders
• primary red cell disorders
• sickle cell disease
• thalassemia
• thromboembolic diseases 

Home and Community Care

• home and school consultations (Interlink pediatric community nurse)  
• individual and group education sessions 

The hematology laboratory at CHEO performs basic hematology tests as well as specialized diagnostic tests. Flow cytometry is performed at The Ottawa Hospital. CHEO also has a cytogenetic laboratory. The newborn screening laboratory for the region is also located at CHEO.

Diagnostic procedures performed by members of the Division include:

• lumbar puncture
• lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy
• bone marrow aspiration
• bone marrow biopsy

Undergraduate training program

The Division provides comprehensive education in a variety of forms to undergraduate trainees:

• Optional observation courses (10 to 12 hours in an outpatient setting).
• Elective rotations (2-4 weeks in an inpatient and/or outpatient setting.
• Mandatory selective placements (two weeks in an inpatient and/or outpatient setting).

Postgraduate education

Specialty residency in hematology/oncology (fellowship)

The Hematology/Oncology Division supports and oversees an accredited subspecialty residency program that is highly effective and valued. It is a three-year program that is recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Over the past 10-15 years, many Canadian and internationally trained physicians have graduated from this program. 

Full details of the post-doctoral program are available at the following link: hematology/oncology fellowship.

Additional postgraduate education

Specific residency programs include a mandatory four-week rotation in pediatric hematology/oncology. This rotation provides valuable experience in inpatient and outpatient settings. These settings include general pediatrics, palliative care medicine, adult hematology, pediatric gynecology and adult hematopathology.

The Hematology/Oncology Division is actively involved in clinical and academic research, as well as research on health care delivery. All members of our team are part of the Children’s Oncology Group (International). We are currently conducting over 50 therapeutic and biological studies at CHEO.

The Division contributes to research in the following areas:

Clinical research

• Children’s Oncology Group: 12 treatment studies, 10 biology studies and 5 support care studies are underway at CHEO
• A study of metronome administration of topotecal and pazopanib in children with recurrent or refractory solid tumours.
• Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of rivipansel in the treatment of vaso-occlusive crisis in children with sickle cell disease.
• Mutations in dysplasias, dysontogenetic disease, tumours and other diseases.
• Improving the quality of life of children with cancer through psychosocial screening and better communication.
• Initiative to maximize progress in adolescent cancer treatment.
• Adrenal insufficiency in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during treatment.
• Assessment of respiratory difficulties in adult childhood cancer survivors.
• Exploring the feasibility, safety and potential benefits of a 12-week in-home physical activity program for children with cancer.
• Immunization of children after chemotherapy to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A study by the Canadian Immunization Research Network.
• Very long-term neurocognitive and endocrine outcomes in childhood cancer survivors.
• Perspectives on experimental fertility preservation techniques.
• Validation of a self-assessment questionnaire on bleeding in children.
• Central venous catheter dysfunction as a predictive factor for thromboembolism in children with cancer.
• Exploring perceptions of social support for physical activity among cancer survivors and their parents.
• Treatment of venous thrombosis by oral administration of rivaroxaban.
• Biomarkers for the long-term effects of cancer treatment in children.
• Anticoagulant treatment with dabigatran.
• Osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
• Study to determine the dose of melatonin for children with recurrent solid tumours.
• Hereditary spinal cord aplasia syndromes.
• Quality of life assessment for individuals with immune thrombocytopenia
• Assessing quality of life in children and adults with thalassemia major.
• Assessment of quality of life specific to myelodysplasia.
• Blood borne pathogens surveillance project.
• Comparison of IVIG alone and IVIG with steroids for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia.
• Predicting, diagnosing and treating late cardiac effects in childhood cancer survivors.
• Canadian database on hemophilia (CHARMS).
• National sickle cell disease registry.
• Feasibility pilot trial of the iPeer2Peer program in the pediatric sickle cell disease population. 

Healthcare delivery research

• Effect of virtual consultations in pediatric specialty.
• Effect of neonatal screening on hemoglobinopathy and complications with the disease in children in Ontario.
• Effects of Syrian refugees on health services in Canada.
• Physician decisions for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia and patient-reported results.
• Assessing and supporting physical literacy in Ontario children with medical conditions and disabilities.
• Effect of immune thrombocytopenia diagnostic pathway on children’s initial health-related quality of life.
• Registration of adolescents and young adults with cancer in clinical trials.
• Development of a validated algorithm to identify immigrant children with hemoglobinopathy in Ontario.
• Electronic pain diary for youth with cancer.
• Transition to meaningful activity for childhood cancer survivors.
• Development and evaluation of an online program for independent management and transitional care for youth with cancer.

University research

• Assessment of resident experience in the learning environment.
• Impact of formal mentorship programs for racialized and underrepresented medical learners.