About Hematology/Oncology

Five full-time faculty members and two part-time members provide comprehensive specialized care to children with blood diseases and cancer, and their families. Our team is supported by a group of more than 30 colleagues in diagnostic and therapeutic services who have special skills in this area.

The number of new cases of cancer averages 60 per year and annual outpatient visits total almost 6000. Special clinics serve patients with hemophilia and bleeding disorders, thrombophilia, hemoglobinopathies and brain tumours, as well as an expanding group of survivors in long-term follow up.

The Division is one of the main partners in the network of POGO (the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) and it is a full member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The former provides an unparalleled framework for standards and guidelines in the pursuit of excellence in service delivery, while the latter affords an increasing opportunity for children to have the advantage of participation in clinical trials and related biological studies. Several members of our team play leadership roles in POGO and the COG. Additionally, this centre is a long-standing component of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Childhood A.L.L. Consortium.

In addition to participation in co-operative group clinical trials, some of which involve leadership roles, the local areas of expertise include health-related quality of life, thrombophilia, the role of exercise, and nutrition. Studies in these areas are supported by external funding and play a major part in the activities of the Division. Collaboration is well established with the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, the Henderson Research Centre and colleagues in a diversity of departments including engineering, biochemistry and nuclear medicine.

Meeting a fundamental commitment to colleagues in less privileged circumstances, our research activities have extended to developing countries, especially in Latin America. This is accomplished through partnerships with several international agencies in Europe and North America.

The Division makes major contributions to medical education at McMaster University, including undergraduate electives and a postgraduate training program. In addition, a one-month rotation is offered to Fellows in the Adult Hematology program.

Members of the Division also contribute to nursing education and international health.

Division Members

Dr. Anthony Chan
Division Head
Professor

Dr. Uma Athale
Associate Professor

Dr. Ronald Barr
Professor

Dr. Vicky Breaky
Assistant Professor

Dr. Lani Lieberman
Assistant Professor

Dr. Mohan Pai
Professor Emeritus

Dr. Carol Portwine
Associate Professor

Dr. Katrin Scheinemann
Assistant Professor

What's New

Dr. Ziad Solh, a fellow in Hematology/Oncology, recently published an article in The Scientific Newsletter of the International Fruit and Vegetable Alliance.

Canadian pediatric hospitals part of the problem or solution?