The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Helps Pediatric Patients Make Great Strides into Adulthood - Experts Available for Comment

Newswise — New Brunswick, N.J., August 27, 2012 – While it is rare, pediatric cancer is the second leading cause of death in children according to the American Cancer Society. More than 12,000 children nationwide will be diagnosed with cancer this year, but the prognosis for these youngsters is not as poor as it used to be. The five-year survival rate for children with cancer is 83 percent, which is up from 58 percent in the mid 1970s. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to discuss the latest in comprehensive treatment, research, and service offerings for this unique population during the month of September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Along with cutting-edge treatment, pediatric cancer patients at CINJ have access to unique services including a special program for childhood cancer survivors. Specialists believe that follow-up care is critical to a young patient’s continued journey through life. That is why The Valerie Fund/CINJ Long-term, Information, Treatment effects and Evaluation (LITE) Program was developed at CINJ in order to address specific needs of this growing population. The program enables survivors of childhood cancer to experience the best quality of life by addressing their individual late effects and providing them necessary support, education, and intervention.

CINJ experts available for comment include:

Richard Drachtman, MD, interim division chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, CINJ; professor of pediatrics, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. His expertise/research interests include pediatric oncology, hematology and sickle cell disease. Dr. Drachtman can discuss the benefits of being treated by a comprehensive care team.

John Glod, MD, PhD, pediatric hematologist/oncologist, CINJ; assistant professor of pediatrics and pharmacology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Glod’s expertise/research interests include pediatric head and neck cancers. He can discuss the latest research and treatment advances in pediatric cancers.

Wilbur Pan, MD, PhD, pediatric hematologist/oncologist, CINJ; assistant professor of pediatrics, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Pan’s clinical specialty is pediatric neuro-oncology. He can discuss the latest research and treatment advances in pediatric cancers.

Dawn Carey, RN, MSN, CPON, APNC, pediatric nurse practitioner, CINJ; coordinator, The Valerie Fund/CINJ LITE Program. Ms. Carey can discuss the benefits of addressing cancer treatment late effects with childhood cancer survivors.

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