Cancer Center

Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Meet the Team

The Children's Mercy oncology program is a national leader in cancer treatment. Our program provides children and teens with comprehensive clinical services and innovative treatment—including Phase I Experimental Therapeutics, stem cell transplantation, and immunotherapies such as CAR T-cell—supported by the latest research.

We provide advanced treatment for children with all types of cancer at our locations in Kansas City, Joplin and Springfield, Missouri. In Kansas City, we also offer a clinic for Spanish-speaking families with bilingual staff and resources.

Pediatric oncologists and specialists

Our care team includes more than 25 pediatric oncologists and hematology specialists. Dedicated nurse practitioners help coordinate each step of treatment. This includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, labs, and any other services children and families need from the time of diagnosis until care is completed. Our team creates a care plan suited to each child's individual treatment needs.

Transforming pediatric oncology

As the primary pediatric cancer research institute and the only NCI Children’s Oncology Group institution in the Masonic Cancer Alliance, Children’s Mercy is the pediatric consortium partner for the National Cancer Institute-designated The University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. This partnership offers progress in cutting-edge cancer research to help advance care for children with cancer.

The Division also has received accreditation from the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.

Passionately pursuing quality outcomes for children with cancer

As a comprehensive cancer center, Children’s Mercy treats more patients, with more complex disease than any other hospital in the region. We are committed to ongoing research to help develop new, more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Because of that commitment, our survival rates are frequently above national averages.

A Family Care Team devoted to you

At Children’s Mercy, your child’s care involves so much more than medical treatment. Our Family Care Team looks at your child’s unique needs—physical, developmental, emotional, educational and spiritual—within the context of your family. This helps us provide comprehensive, whole-person care for your child, while also supporting parents, siblings and other special people in their life.

Clinical Services

Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)

Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) supports research and treatment to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer.

Brain Tumor Treatment

Learn how research and treatment advancements support children and teens diagnosed with brain tumors.

Cancer Clinical Trials

This team researches and develops new drugs to provide better care to pediatric cancer patients.

Cardio-Oncology

Children's Mercy is one of only a few pediatric hospitals in the world to offer integrated heart care for children with cancer as well as cancer survivors.

Cellular Therapies

Children’s Mercy has played a significant role in the development of chimeric antigen receptor therapies for children and young adults. We are proud to offer Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) treatment to qualifying patients.

Histiocytosis Program

The Histiocytosis Program at Children’s Mercy provides comprehensive care for children with rare diseases.

Leukemia/Lymphoma

This program supports research and treatment advancements for kids and teens who are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.

Liver Tumor Program

We work in conjunction with a specialized liver team to treat and support patients with liver tumors.

Proton Therapy

Children receiving proton therapy at The University of Kansas Cancer Center will have a dedicated oncology team at Children’s Mercy. Our specialists will create a care plan suited to each child’s individual treatment requirements.

Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas

Part of our ongoing research efforts focus on discovering new treatment options for children diagnosed with bone and soft tissue cancers.

Spanish-Speaking Clinic

The Spanish-speaking clinic helps bridge the gap in health care disparities among Hispanic patients and families who speak limited English.

Stem Cell Transplant

We provide research and treatment for patients who have the option of stem cell transplant.

Survive & Thrive

This program provides specialized support services for survivors of childhood cancer.

Pediatric research with far-reaching impact

The vast majority of funding for cancer research is focused on adult treatments, which must then be explored and adapted for children much later. Children’s Mercy researchers are working to define and delineate the characteristics of cancers that develop in children to better determine if there are common factors in adult cancer – even if it’s a different type of cancer.

Genomic sequencing provides a tremendous amount of information about the mutations that cause cancer, allowing us to create personalized approaches to treatment for each child and their particular cancer. Much of what we learn about childhood cancer can also benefit adults through increased understanding of the disease and its treatments.

Read the Pediatric Cancer Genomics Report

Innovators in cellular therapy

As innovators and collaborators in the field of cellular therapies, the teams at Children’s Mercy are advancing the care of children with the most difficult-to-treat cancers. Children’s Mercy has played a significant role in the development of chimeric antigen receptor therapies (CAR) for children and young adults.

Learn more about our research

Stories

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Munira's story

Munira Nuru began her cancer journey just days before her 17^th birthday. With the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center team on her side and a determined spirit, her cancer is now in remission and her future is bright.

Meet Munira

Munira Nuru smiling while wearing eyeglasses and a black colored hijab on her head.

Cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma: Chase's story

In his first year of life, "Chase the Champ" was diagnosed with an aggressive tumor that accounts for about 5% of pediatric kidney cancers. At one point, he was given only 72 hours to live, but now Chase is a resilient, young cancer survivor!

Meet Chase

Chase Jackman outside of Children's Mercy with his face turned to the sun. His eyes are close and he is smiling.

Hodgkin lymphoma: Miqueas' story

Miqueas' mother grew concerned as a small bump on her son's neck began to grow. With limited English, she struggled to find the best care for Miqueas. After meeting with Dr. Flatt, Director of the Spanish-Speaking Cancer Clinic and cancer specialist at Children's Mercy, they found the answers and care they needed.

Meet Miqueas

Wilms tumor: Tripp's story

When Tripp was 3 years old, a CT scan and biopsy confirmed he had a common type of childhood kidney cancer called Wilms tumor. What wasn’t common was that it had already spread to Tripp’s lymph nodes. Following tough therapy for a tough tumor, Tripp is now back to playing with trucks and dinosaurs!

Meet Tripp

Contact the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy

Interested in learning more about the Cancer Center? Please contact us.

Patients and families:
(816) 234-3460

Home Care:
(913) 696-8999

Referring health care providers:
New-patient requests for consultation can be made through a physician-to-physician discussion, which assists with determining the urgency of the referral.

Cancer Center Auxiliary

The Children's Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary generates funding to improve the physical and emotional well being of children with cancer and blood disorders, as well as their families.

This auxiliary raises money to support a parent-to-parent volunteer program, psychologists and a research fellowship. Funds also go toward patient activities, and two parent rooms at the hospital.

Email us for more information