Every year, roughly 15,000 children and adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with cancer, and more than half of those diagnoses occur in children under the age of 15. While significant advances in pediatric cancer treatment have improved outcomes over the past several decades, finding the right treatment for each child remains one of the most important factors in achieving the best possible results.
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, physicians, researchers and care teams are leveraging the latest advances in precision medicine to better understand each child's disease and develop treatment plans tailored to their individual needs. By combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate, family-centered care, Cardinal Glennon is helping ensure that children receive the most targeted and effective therapies available.
One of the most promising tools in modern cancer treatment is advanced genetic sequencing. This technology allows physicians to analyze a tumor and identify the specific genetic changes driving its growth. With this information, care teams can determine whether targeted therapies are available that may be more effective for a child's particular cancer while potentially reducing unnecessary treatments.
“Cancers may look exactly the same under the microscope but have very different genetic alterations that cause the tumor to grow and spread,” said Dr. William Ferguson, head of pediatric hematology and oncology services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “Those can include changes in the structure of genes themselves, but sometimes it just involves increasing or decreasing the activity of a normal gene—a change that can be missed by conventional genetic testing. With the more advanced analysis that is now available, we have a greater chance of identifying a drug that can directly target those abnormalities and help us more effectively treat each child’s cancer.”
This deeper understanding of a tumor's makeup can provide critical insights into how a cancer behaves and how it may respond to treatment. In some cases, precision medicine can help identify therapies that might not have otherwise been considered, giving patients access to additional treatment options based on the unique biology of their disease.
As advances in genomic medicine continue to transform cancer care, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital remains committed to bringing the latest innovations to children and families across the region. By integrating advanced diagnostics, leading-edge treatments and multidisciplinary expertise, the hospital continues to deliver exceptional pediatric cancer care and outcomes, with patient survival rates that routinely exceed national averages.
For families facing a cancer diagnosis, access to highly specialized care can make all the difference. Through precision medicine and a commitment to innovation, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is helping provide more personalized treatment approaches and renewed hope for children battling cancer.
To learn more about advanced cancer care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, visit ssmhealth.com/cardinal-glennon/services/pediatric-oncology.
