Hematology, Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant

Research Activities
The Division has a robust basic science and translational research program with 7 PhD researchers. It is a strong clinical research unit with the Division being a full member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a worldwide cooperative research group, and is one of 4 Canadian Institutions offering Developmental Therapeutics to children with relapsed malignancies, providing access to Phase 1 and 2 trials and access to novel agents.

Clinical research interests include clinical trials, cancer molecular biology, immunological aspects of transplantation, peripheral blood stem cell infusion post-intensive chemotherapy, immune- and cellular therapy. Other interests include participation in the Canadian Childhood Thrombophilia Program, and hematology clinical trials. A wide variety of research projects are available to fellows.

The Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT has one of the most sought after subspecialty residency programs in Canada and attracts clinical fellows from around the world. A three year Royal College accredited training program in clinical hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplantation is offered.

All levels of trainees in the Division are exposed to lectures, mentorship, physician development, journal clubs and research opportunities. The rotations include inpatient, hematopathology, adult bone marrow transplant and adult lymphoma/radiation therapy service, blood banking, ambulatory clinics, research and electives. Candidates are required to have completed a minimum of three core years in general pediatrics.

Currently, we have two faculty members (Dr. Sylvia Cheng and Dr. Melissa Harvey) pursuing higher qualifications in Medical Education.

The Division sees about 140 new oncology patients per year with an overall survival rate of 83% with these children having ongoing follow up. Additionally, more than 300 new hematology patients are seen each year, many of whom have ongoing follow up.. The Division also performs an average of 35 stem cell transplants per year. In the 2015/16 fiscal year there were 10,987 outpatient visits and 7,511 inpatient days. The Provincial Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Network is a Network that includes parent advocates and community health care providers, and operates under the guidance of BC Children’s Hospital and the BC Cancer Agency, supported by Child Health BC. The Network supports community hospitals and practitioners, and develops partnerships with other health care facilities to enable seamless and integrated care for patients on treatment and off treatment and their families. This includes telehealth and outreach clinics

Cancer
The team works in close collaboration with the BC Cancer Agency and its community centres and clinics in providing treatment and follow-up for children with cancer. Adolescents over the age of 17 at diagnosis should be referred to the BC Cancer Agency. In special cases, older adolescents will be considered for treatment at BCCH.

The program is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a worldwide cooperative research group and collaborates with numerous other National and International collaboratives. The program participates in both Phase1 and 2 trials offering innovative therapies. Children’s cancer specialists are in constant communication with centers all over the world and are able to decide the best possible treatment for any childhood cancer.

Blood disorders
We provide consultative service and directive care for patients with complex hematological disorders such as bleeding disorders, red cell disorders, thrombosis, cytopenias, and bone marrow failure syndromes.

Follow-Up
There are at least 3,000 survivors of childhood cancer in BC. Children receive comprehensive medical follow up at Children’s Hospital until they are age 18-22 or at least 5 years from completion of treatment. They have access to a vocational counsellor. BC Cancer Agency and BC Children’s Hospital have recently created the Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors Program for childhood cancer survivors. As part of this program, a new clinic called the Late Effects, Assessment and Follow-up (LEAF) Clinic is providing ongoing medical, nursing, and psycho-social support to adult survivors of childhood cancer. Many of these long term survivors are not aware of the serious late health risks that they face as a result of their previous treatment and efforts are being made to trace and contact long term survivors and ensure that they are receiving appropriate care.

Blood and Marrow Transplant Program (BMT)
The BMT Program has been in operation since 1980. The program performs approximately 35 BMTs annually. This includes autologous peripheral blood stem cell and marrow transplants, and allogeneic cord, peripheral blood stem cell, and marrow transplants.

Faculty
Dr. Caron Strahlendorf (Division Head)
Dr. Ali Amid
Dr. Mark Belletrutti (Hematology Director)
Dr. Sylvia Cheng (Neuro-Oncology Director)
Dr. Natasha Datoo
Dr. Rebecca Deyell
Dr. David Dix
Dr. Jess Halparin
Dr. Melissa Harvey (Education Director)
Dr. Juliette Hukin
Dr. Amanda Li
Dr. Kristin Marr
Dr. George Michaiel
Dr. Rod Rassekh
Dr. Meera Rayar
Dr. Jacob Rozmus (BMT Director)
Dr. Kirk Schultz

Clinical Associates
Dr. Bjorn Baadjes
Dr. Leslie Cohen
Dr. Rachel Li
Dr. Kini Sandhu
Dr. Rose Schumiatcher
Dr. Ashley Szpurko
Dr. Ann Van Eyssen
Dr. Judy Wolfe
Dr. Peggy Wong
Dr. Andrea Zivot

Affiliated Members
Dr. Karen Goddard (Radiation Oncology)
Dr. Andrea Lo (Radiation Oncology)
Dr. Justin Oh (Radiation Oncology)
Dr. Kristin Marr (Surrey Memorial)
Dr. Hanna Reysner (Surrey Memorial)
Dr. Ewa Lunaczek-Motyka (Victoria General)

Research Team
Dr. Philipp Lange
Dr. James Lim
Dr. Chris Maxwell (Research Director)
Dr. Gregor Reid
Dr. Poul Sorenson

Staff

Evelyne Lau, Assistant to Division Head