Pediatric Oncology

Pediatric cancer treatment from providers whose breadth and depth of experience is unrivaled in North Texas

The oncology service at the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is one of the nation’s premier programs for children with malignant disorders. The center offers a full array of the latest diagnostic capabilities and therapies available.

With 24 pediatric hematologists and oncologists on staff, all of whom are faculty members at UT Southwestern Medical Center, we care for more than 1,000 new patients each year. This makes the Gill Center the largest childhood cancer and blood disorders treatment center in the region.

Our treatment results equal or exceed those at the most prestigious pediatric cancer centers in the country. The Center has a leadership position in the National Institutes of Health-sponsored international consortium called the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).

Dallas

214-456-2382
Fax: 214-456-6133
Ste C6403

Plano

469-303-4400
Fax: 469-303-4420
Ste P2300

Referrals

214-456-2978

Request an Appointment with codes: Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD)

Refer a Patient with Oncology

Accepted Insurance Plans

Conditions We Treat

Our Programs

Treatments and Services

MIBG for Neuroblastoma

Fertility Preservation

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Advanced treatment using the latest technologies

Our Experimental Therapeutics program combines the expertise of our specialists and sub-specialists with advanced treatment techniques to provide our patients with promising cancer treatments available at only a few academic medical centers in the country. One example is the Magnetic Resonance-Guided High Intensity Ultrasound (or MR-HIFU) as demonstrated in this video. Learn more about this unique program.

Comprehensive care and research leadership

Our pediatric oncologists treat all pediatric cancers, even the rarest malignancies, through programs that provide comprehensive care for the entire family. A multidisciplinary clinical program is offered for all oncology patients. This means that your child is treated by a team of experts in each area of care.

In addition to providing exceptional clinical care, the Center is focused on gaining new knowledge. We conduct research on these disorders and share that knowledge by educating the next generation of physicians and scientists. This also adds to the depth of care that we can bring to the most important patient, your child.

Related Patient Stories

Sal's story: Seeing cancer through the lens of victory

It was the summer after kindergarten and Sal should have been out on the block playing with his neighborhood pals. But the typically robust 6-year-old was fighting off one illness after another.

A teen continues to spread hope amidst her cancer battle

In late 2020, Addison began experiencing back pain that made it uncomfortable to breathe and seemed more tired than usual. Her parents took her to her family doctor who suspected she may have sprained a muscle in her back and suggested a series of stretches and gentle exercises to allow it to heal. Over the next few weeks, the pain grew worse and she started to notice abnormalities in the color of her urine. She returned to her doctor's office where a urinalysis identified elevated liver enzymes in her urine, suggesting something may be going on with her liver or gallbladder. Her doctor ordered some routine bloodwork – just to be safe – and explained that Addison would need to see a specialist for an ultrasound of her abdomen.

A young man's brave fight against cancer ensures many happy holidays to come

In 2012, Riley and his family were sitting around the table playing Bingo during the Thanksgiving holiday when he sat up straight in his chair looking completely gray. He had a stomach ache the night before so his parents took him to the emergency room at Children’s Medical Center Dallas right away.

A patient's artwork inspires others to keep fighting

AJ had been feeling bad for some time when he found himself at Children’s Health. He had been to several other doctors previously, but no one could figure out what was wrong with him, and he and his family were both frustrated and worried.

A young girl shows strength as she battles cancer before her first birthday

Her daughter, Zoe, had been dealing with a bout of what her gastroenterologist diagnosed as traveler’s diarrhea for about two months and wasn’t getting better, despite trying multiple antibiotics to treat it. The doctor assured Linda that it just took time for it to run its course, but her mother’s intuition told her that something wasn’t quite right. Linda finally decided enough was enough, and on February 14, she headed to the Emergency Department at Children’s Medical Center Plano for answers.

A young girl shows her strength as she battles Leukemia

Tatum had just returned from a fun weekend in San Antonio celebrating her grandmother’s 65th birthday when she started to run a fever. It didn’t go down by the next morning and she began having trouble walking so her mom, Whitney, took her to her pediatrician’s office to figure out what was going on. She tested negative for strep, but her blood work came back abnormal so her doctor urged them to go directly to the emergency room at Children’s Medical Center Plano.

An innovative, advanced therapy gives hope to a young cancer patient

When Conner began complaining about back and leg pain last summer, his parents took him to his pediatrician in Tyler, Texas, to try to determine what was wrong. After his blood work came back normal, he was referred to his local hospital for an MRI and x-ray. The MRI revealed spots indicative of leukemia, and Conner was immediately referred to Children’s Health for further testing and evaluation. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and was admitted to the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health to begin treatment.

Meet the Care Team

Stephen Skapek, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Victor Aquino, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Daniel Bowers, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Erin Butler, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Matthew Campbell, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Kenneth Chen, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Julie Germann, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist
Suzanne Holm, PhD Pediatric Psychologist
Samuel John, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Laura Klesse, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Andrew Koh, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Patrick Leavey, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Kathleen Ludwig, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Avanthi Shah, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Ksenya Shliakhtsitsava, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Tiffany Simms-Waldrip, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Tamra Slone, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Jamie Truscott, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Tanya Watt, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Jonathan Wickiser, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Naomi Winick, MD Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Tamrah Moore, APRN, PNP-PC Nurse Practitioner - Cancer and Blood Disorders

Pediatric Oncology

Pediatric Oncology

Pediatric cancer treatment from providers whose breadth and depth of experience is unrivaled in North Texas

Dallas

Plano

Referrals

Conditions We Treat

Our Programs

Treatments and Services

Advanced treatment using the latest technologies

Comprehensive care and research leadership

Meet the Care Team

Locations