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Cancer

Oncology Clinic

For decades, the Pediatric Oncology Clinic has been at the forefront of researching and treating childhood cancers. We're committed to helping our patients access the latest innovations in cancer care, and we're often among the first centers to offer new techniques as they become available. All of our programs are designed specifically for diagnosing and treating children with cancer.

Compassionate medical care is complemented by a wide range of services designed to support the well-being of patients and their families throughout this challenging time. Knowing that undergoing cancer treatment is emotionally difficult, we offer not just a helping hand but a hand to hold.

In addition to treating patients, our specialists lead world-class research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer in children. Thanks to that work, our patients often have opportunities to participate in large-scale clinical trials of experimental drugs or other promising therapies.

Our overarching goal is to help kids get better as quickly as possible so they can put cancer behind them and get on with their lives. Thanks to the skill and dedication of our team, we're able to make the future brighter for so many of the patients who come to us.

What sets us apart

Comprehensive care for kids with cancer

At our cancer center, our providers help families through difficult journeys with compassion, using the most cutting-edge therapies.

Our locations (3)

    Patient stories

    Meet UCSF's first CAR T-cell patient

    Shaun had been battling an aggressive leukemia for six years. When his care team recommended a new experimental treatment, his parents described it as "divine intervention."

    Highlights of our cancer care

    Leading-edge treatments

    We're among the first to offer new treatment options, as soon as they're proven safe and effective. In addition, patients can access promising experimental therapies by participating in one of our many clinical trials.

    Precision medicine

    High-risk tumors are analyzed with the UCSF500 Cancer Gene Panel, a state-of-the-art test that identifies mutations in the tumor's DNA. The results can indicate the best treatment course and, in some cases, clarify the exact type of cancer.

    Seamless care, near and far

    Dedicated patient navigators help families with managing referrals, insurance concerns and appointment planning. We work with patients and referring doctors well beyond the San Francisco Bay Area, thanks to our comprehensive telehealth system.

    Thorough follow-up

    Our Pediatric Survivorship Program provides expert care to address any medical, psychological or social issues that arise after treatment is complete. The team also ensures smooth transitions to adult care providers as our patients leave childhood behind.

    Our team

    View providers by category
    • All providers (47)
    • Doctors (30)
    • Nurse practitioners (9)
    • Physical therapists (1)
    • Psychologists and social workers (3)
    • Dietitians (3)

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    Special programs

    Pediatric Blood Cancer Program

    The Pediatric Blood Cancer Program offers children comprehensive, world-class treatment for all childhood blood cancers. Learn more.

    Pediatric Immunotherapy Program

    Serving children who receive care at UCSF, the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program provides treatments that empower the patient's own immune system to fight disease. Learn more.

    Awards & recognition

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals for Cancer, 2024-2025

      Best in Northern California for cancer care

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals Ranked in 11 Specialties, 2024-2025

      Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties

    • Designated an early phase clinical trials core site by the Children's Oncology Group

    UCSF's Pediatric Cancer Program

    Related conditions

    Related treatments

    Plan your visit

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • Recent test results related to your child's condition
    • List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes
    • Completed medical forms that we will mail to you ahead of time

    For visitors

    Before you head to the hospital, check out our guidelines for visitors and caregivers.

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    Your Stay

    We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.

    Learn more
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    Your Child's Care Team

    Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.

    Learn more
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    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

    Learn more

    Related clinics (6)

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    Apheresis Program

    Apheresis Program

    747 52nd St.
    Oakland, CA 94609

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    Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic

    Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic

    San Francisco / Oakland
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    Hematology Clinic

    Hematology Clinic

    San Francisco / Fresno / Greenbrae / Oakland / Santa Rosa / Walnut Creek

    Pediatric Hereditary Cancer Clinic

    Pediatric Hereditary Cancer Clinic

    1825 Fourth St., Sixth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

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    Infusion Center

    Infusion Center

    San Francisco / Oakland / Walnut Creek
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    Survivorship Program

    Survivorship Program

    Oakland / San Francisco

    Support services

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    Child Life Services

    Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

    Child Life

    Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

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    Beads of Courage

    We help children cope with cancer testing and treatment challenges by awarding colorful beads for each milestone they achieve. Find out about our program.

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    Camp Okizu

    This overnight summer camp for children with cancer, siblings and families offers fun activities, education sessions and support in a beautiful setting.

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    Individual Playtime & Instruction

    If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

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    Activity Rooms

    Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

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    Art Therapy

    Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

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    Music Therapy Program

    Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

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    School Program

    Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

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    School Re-Entry Program

    We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

    Family Amenities

    Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

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    Social Services

    Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

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    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

    Family Resource Center

    We help families cope with the challenges of childhood illness and hospitalization in a relaxing environment where parents can get a much-needed break.

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    Parent Support Program

    Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

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    Patient Relations

    Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

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    Spiritual Care

    Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

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    International Services

    If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.

    View 10 more
    Decorative Caduceus

    A Multicenter Access and Distribution Protocol for Unlicensed Cryopreserved Cord Blood Units (C...

    The primary objective of this access and distribution protocol is to examine the incidence of neutrophil recovery of ≥500/mm3 after cord blood transplantation in a multi-institution setting using CBUs that are not FDA licensed.

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Pediatric Precision Laboratory Advanced Neuroblastoma Therapy

    To measure the response of treatments chosen based on: • Event free survival (EFS)

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Eflornithine (DFMO) and Etoposide for Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma

    To evaluate the efficacy of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in combination with etoposide in patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, based upon: o Event free survival (EFS) from time of enrollment.

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Naxitamab Added to Induction for Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma

    Measured by the presence of radiologically assessable disease by cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging and/or by metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) or positron emission tomography (PET) s...

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Neuroblastoma Maintenance Therapy Trial

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Caloric Restriction and Activity to Reduce Chemoresistance in B-ALL

    To compare the rate of MRD >=0.01% at end of induction between experimental arm and control arm

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Project: Every Child for Younger Patients With Cancer

    The number of patients who agree to be in the Biobanking part of the study and have leftover tumor tissue and some normal blood, bone marrow, or other tissue saved for future research.

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of the Drugs Selumetinib vs. Carboplatin and Vincristine in Patients With Low-Grade Gli...

    The Kaplan-Meier method will be used to estimate EFS which is defined as the interval from randomization to first occurrence of clinical or radiographic disease progression, disease recurrence, second malignant neoplasm, or death ...

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of the Drugs Selumetinib Versus Carboplatin/Vincristine in Patients With Neurofibromato...

    EFS is defined as time from randomization to the first occurrence of any of the following events: clinical or radiographic disease progression, disease recurrence, second malignant neoplasm, or death from any cause. Patients who a...

    Recruiting

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Very Low-Risk and Low Risk Fusi...

    The Kaplan-Meier method will be used to estimate 3-year FFS along with 80% log-minus-log transformed confidence limits for very low risk (VLR) patients.

    Recruiting

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    View 2 more

    Our research initiatives

    • mibg-therapy-research-2x

      MIBG Therapy Research

      Learn more
    • new-approaches-to-neuroblastoma-therapy-consortium-2x

      New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy Consortium

      Learn more
    • ucsf-childrens-cancer-program-clinical-trials-2x

      Clinical Trials at UCSF: Pediatric Cancer

      Learn more

    • Early-Phase Clinical Trials at UCSF: Pediatric Cancer

      Learn more
    View 1 more

    Resources for physicians

    Whether you're referring a patient, seeking a second opinion or looking for professional education opportunities, you'll find resources on the UCSF Pediatric Cancer Program's MedConnection hub. We look forward to partnering with you!

    Tender wagging care

    Our therapy dogs spread joy and smiles at the bedside and throughout the hospital.

    Visit Child Life services

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