Solid Tumour and Neuro-oncology services
The Oncology multidisciplinary team oversees the diagnosis and
treatment of all malignant solid tumours and certain rare,
non-cancer conditions in children and adolescents up to age 16
years. We work closely with our Radiology, Surgical, Neurosurgical,
Clinical Oncology, and POSCU colleagues as well as various
Diagnostic and Laboratory (Paediatric and Adult Histopathology,
Neuropathology, Genetics, Haematology, Biochemistry, Microbiology
& Virology) services to provide comprehensive cancer treatment
in Bristol and the South West.
There are regular multi-professional meetings held at the
Children's Hospital, where various professionals from the team meet
to discuss patient management and holistic family centred care.
In-patient chemotherapy treatment is delivered on Starlight and
Apollo 35 wards and out-patient treatment on Ocean Day unit.
Admissions for treatment related side effects are mainly to the
same wards, although occasionally children will require admission
to other wards on the hospital whilst remaining under the care of
the Oncology team.
Children with brain tumours are looked after together with the
neurosurgical and neurology teams on Bluebell, Sunflower and Daisy
ward and children have surgical treatment for solid tumours are
looked after on Penguin ward.
Supportive care for side effects of treatment is provided
alongside cancer therapy through joint working with other medical
subspecialties (Cardiac, Endocrine, Respiratory, Renal, Intensive
Care, Urology, Neurology, Immunology and Infectious disease) at the
same site.
Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and high-dose chemotherapy with
peripheral blood stem cells rescue are also performed in the Unit
for specific cancers. The latter is supported by the Apheresis Unit
and Bone Marrow Transplant service, also on site.
Children and adolescents requiring surgical resection of liver
tumours and bone sarcomas as part of their cancer treatment, have
their operations at surgical centres in Birmingham. In addition,
patients with retinoblastoma are under the joint care of the Unit
and the National Retinoblastoma services in Birmingham and
London. Other tumour surgery is performed here at the
Children's Hospital.
Children up to 16 years with brain tumours have surgery here at
Bristol Children's hospital and are supported by a comprehensive
neuro-rehabilitation team including neuropsychology.
All cancer treatment decisions are made jointly at cancer MDT
meetings involving oncologists, clinical oncologists (doctors who
deliver radiotherapy), surgeons, radiologists and pathologists.
Each child will be allocated a lead oncologist and a key worker,
usually a nurse specialist.
The unit participate in national and international trials of
Paediatric cancer treatment and where possible children will be
offered entry into a trial relevant to their cancer sub-type.
With an extensive team of health care professionals including
play therapists, psychology, dieticians, physiotherapy, support
workers, cancer pharmacists, nurses and nurse specialists we aim to
provide specialist and age appropriate care to children with all
cancers.
As principal treatment centre, the TYA cancer team in UHBristol
oversees delivery of specialist cancer care along with holistic
support to young people diagnosed with cancer between 16 and 24
years.
The team works closely with our colleagues in the Shared Care
network (designated hospitals in the South West) to ensure that all
young people are able, whenever possible and appropriate, to access
treatment locally but also to have unhindered access of care at the
PTC. We also ensure young people have access to the relevant and
eligible clinical trials. Our aim is to provide specialist
age-appropriate care and psychological, emotional, financial,
practical, educational and social support to young people with
cancer, their families and friends.
Aftercare
The South West Aftercare service is a clinical service dedicated
to the care and support of teenagers and young adults who were
treated for cancer or leukaemia (or certain related conditions)
from the ages of 0-24 years. It aims to provide patients with
information about their treatment and possible effects on their
future health, through individualised assessment and
recommendations for future monitoring. All aspects of health are
reviewed and undertaken by professionals who specialise in this
area of healthcare. The service also works closely with other
medical specialists and co-ordinates care to address complex needs
and consequences following cancer treatment.
Palliative care
We work closely with colleagues in Palliative Care services in
the Children's Hospital and Bristol Haematology & Oncology
Centre, Children's Hospice South West and other agencies to support
children and young people and their familieswhose cancers can not
be cured. This includes the provision of symptomatic control,
end-of-life care, spiritual support, and bereavement follow-up.
