Since its inception in 1987, the Tomorrows Children’s Institute has been a leading participant in the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) and its successor, the Children's Oncology Group (COG).  COG is the major collaborative group in North America for the treatment of childhood cancer.

Participation in COG enables our patients to receive cutting-edge treatment protocols. Treatment protocols are available for all types of pediatric cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, and solid tumors such as neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, bone tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and others.

Tomorrows Children's Institute physicians have taken a leadership role in the COG and participate in numerous committees, including acute myelocytic leukemia, bone tumors, Hodgkin's disease, late effects of cancer, psychology issues, cancer control and cancer in young adults.  For further information on COG, please visit www.childrensoncologygroup.org.

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The Pediatric Hematology Program is one of the most comprehensive programs in New Jersey to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of hematologic disorders. 

The multidisciplinary team consists of physicians, advanced practice nurses, psychologists, social workers, and creative arts therapists.

Consultations are available for the following conditions: Hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand's disease Qualitative and quantitative disorders of platelets including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) Abnormal pre-surgical coagulation screening tests Anemia White blood cell abnormalities Thrombotic disorders (thrombophilia)

The Tomorrows Children's Institute
is the site of a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Treatment Center

The Center's services address the medical and psycho-emotional needs of children with sickle cell syndromes and their families. 

Services Include:

• Comprehensive inpatient care
• Outpatient transfusions as necessary
• Outpatient evaluation and treatment of painful crisis and fevers
• Transcranial doppler (TCD) screening to predict the risk of stroke
• Dedicated support groups for patients, siblings, and parents
• Full evaluation of infants with abnormal hemoglobin detected by newborn screening
• Stem cell transplantation for sickle cell anemia and thalassemia in selected patients

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Bone Marrow Failure Program

State-of-the-art therapeutic modalities are available, including cytokine therapy, matched-related and unrelated cord blood or bone marrow transplantation, and supportive care.

 
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The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Hackensack University Medical Center is a joint effort of Tomorrows Children's Institute and the Pediatric Neuroscience Institute. The Program has been developed to address the unique needs of children with cancer affecting the nervous system. Patients cared for by our team include those with tumors of the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves, as well as children whose cancer, or its treatment, may have resulted in neurologic problems.

Philosophy: We believe that children with cancer affecting the nervous system represent a unique patient population, whose medical, psychological, social, and educational needs set them apart from other childhood cancer patients. It is therefore a major priority for us to ensure that our patients have access to expert care in a patient-friendly setting. Attention is given to all aspects of the child's illness, treatment, and recovery. We strive to achieve a cure for every child, while focusing on maximizing quality of life and minimizing complications.

Scope of Services Provided:

Medical Care:

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program provides care from the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and into survivorship. Working together with other departments, such as Diagnostic Imaging and Pathology, we determine the exact diagnosis for each patient. This information is then used to guide treatment specific to the type of tumor, while taking into consideration the patient's age and potential complications of therapy. All members of the team are involved when treatment decisions are discussed, and options are then presented to the family. In this way, we can provide our patients with the information and guidance required when faced with a potentially life-threatening illness.

Treatment for most patients involves neurosurgery, often combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Due to the risk of injury to developing nervous system when radiation is administered at a young age (often defined as age less than or equal to 3 years), we often use chemotherapy as a means of delaying or perhaps eliminating radiation. Our skilled pediatric oncology nurses deliver chemotherapy in the outpatient clinic, in a dedicated Infusion Room. If required, children are admitted to a dedicated Inpatient Oncology Unit. When necessary, radiation is administered by the highly trained physicians and staff in our Department of Radiation Oncology.

Psychosocial, Educational, and Other Issues:

We are aware of the special needs of our patients, and address these issues by involving members of our Child Life, Social Work, Psychology, and School Liaison Programs. By paying attention to such issues, it is hoped that we can avoid or rapidly identify problems, and begin interventions in a timely manner. We include the entire family in the process, thus allowing siblings and parents to participate in the child's care. 

School and education are extremely important, and we aim to keep children active in these activities during treatment. Our educational liaisons will even visit the child's school if necessary. The concern continues after the child completes their treatment, as we know that many patients will develop difficulties with hearing, learning, attention, memory, and endocrine function. These problems are addressed by working closely with Anne Farrar-Anton, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, and Dr. Michael B. Harris, Director of Cure and Beyond-A Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program. When appropriate, referrals are made to Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, as well as to Endocrinology and other medical services. 

Research:

Our team is actively involved with the Children's Oncology Group, thus allowing our patients to be enrolled in appropriate Clinical Research Trials. In addition, we are developing our own clinical research programs in areas related to neuro-oncology and the neurologic and cognitive problems encountered by survivors of childhood cancer. The recently opened David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children will provide the infrastructure required as we pursue our research interests.

Education:

Members of our team are involved in the education of medical students and residents from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. In addition, we are active in educating health care providers in the region, giving lectures and participating in symposia and other programs.

Contact Us:
Please feel free to contact us. Dr. Thompson can be reached at (201) 996-5437, and Dr. Fried can be reached at (201) 996-5251, for questions, consults, and patient referrals.

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Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program

Click here for an in-depth discussion of this program with a complete listing of respective personnel, transplantation types offered, and current transplantation protocols.

The Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Hackensack University Medical Center, established in 1990, is a national leader in the field of allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation.  It is one of the largest programs in the New York metropolitan region and the only pediatric transplant program in New Jersey.

In 1997, HUMC’s Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program received certification by the Foundation for Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy (FAHCT), and was recertified in 2001. Both transplant physicians, Dr. Joel Brochstein and Dr. Alfred Gillio, have been exclusively involved in the clinical and laboratory aspects of pediatric stem cell transplantation for nearly 20 years and are recognized authorities in the field. Since the program is recognized by the Children's Oncology Group; patients from any COG-affiliated institutions may be referred here for a stem cell transplant according to cooperative group protocols.

In addition, the program participates in selected national trials coordinated by the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium.

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Cure and Beyond - For Childhood Cancer Survivors

The Cure and Beyond program offers a comprehensive array of support services for survivors of childhood cancer, who completed their therapy two or more years ago. The goals of the program are:  To educate the survivor about his/her previous diagnosis and therapy by preparing a written summary with recommendations about follow up (based on the current literature). To teach and encourage a healthy lifestyle and health maintenance.  To assist the survivor in obtaining adult medical services when appropriate, and to communicate specific follow up needs. To observe and carefully document the late effects the survivor may experience so that future survivors may benefit from this information. The program offered to survivors consists of:  A telephone interview prior to the visit to discuss the concerns the survivor or family may have. A treatment summary prepared prior to the visit, and given to the survivor at the visit. A history and physical exam.  The opportunity to meet with a social worker, school abilities specialist, child psychologist, and/ or child life specialist depending on the survivor's needs and requests.  At the conclusion of the visit, a roundtable discussion of the summary, potential (if any) late effects of therapy and follow up recommendations. Discussion time to address any questions, concerns or issues the survivor, family and/or significant others may have. The CAB team includes:  Michael B. Harris, M.D., pediatric oncologist and program director.  Dr. Harris has a special interest and expertise in the long-term results of childhood cancer therapy. Other TCI physicians see their survivors in CAB also.  Carol Friedman, Ph.D, pediatric psychologist. Dr. Friedman provides insight into emotional issues, counsels and makes referrals as indicated. She also coordinates psychological and educational testing. Hope Castoria, RN, BSN, CPON, case manager/coordinator.  Ms. Castoria assesses, plans, and provides care for the survivor and coordinates the multidisciplinary team needed to address the survivor’s issues.  Sherri Mayans, R.N., APN, C., pediatric nurse practitioner.  Ms. Mayans provides comprehensive care including teaching and follow-up for health maintenance.  Libby Klein, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker.  Ms. Klein works with survivors to evaluate and enhance their quality of life through counseling, advocacy and referral to community resources. Jill Brooks, clerical coordinator.  Ms. Brooks coordinates the scheduling of tests and appointments, insurance issues and the general operation of our offsite office.  As needed, we have the services of child life specialists and creative arts therapists at Tomorrows Children’s Institute. Under the direction of Libby Klein, LCSW and Carol Friedman, PhD, CAB offers a monthly activities group for young adult survivors interested in socializing with other survivors. In addition, several members of the CAB team serve on the Pediatric Committee of the New Jersey Office of Cancer Control and Prevention (NJOCCP). The CAB team collaborates with the NJOCCP and other organizations to provide educational conferences for professionals, survivors, and their families about the medical and psychosocial late effects of childhood cancer treatment. Return to top