Pediatric Cancer Center Information

Most children and teens with cancer are treated at large pediatric cancer centers. Pediatric cancer treatment typically is offered to children from birth to age 18 or 19, although some groups extend pediatric treatment to age 21. These cancer centers offer clinical trials run by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The COG was formed by the merger of 4 pediatric cancer research organizations:

• Children's Cancer Group
• Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group
• National Wilms Tumor Study Group
• Pediatric Oncology Group

The COG is an international group of more than 200 pediatric cancer centers that develop research guidelines, do research (clinical trials), and review their treatment outcomes. Researchers, nurses, and doctors of the COG treat young patients and then report their results to an operations center. These data are reviewed and shared with all the medical experts in the network.

At each COG cancer center, patients with the same cancer diagnoses are treated exactly the same way, following detailed guidelines (called protocols). By doing this and comparing all the results, COG can get answers to important medical and scientific questions much faster than researchers working alone. As a result of this ongoing research, children and teens treated at these centers have better outcomes and better survival rates.

For many years COG clinical trials have been supported by funds raised by the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF). Together NCCF and COG represent CureSearch. Their shared vision is to reach the day when every child with cancer can be promised a cure.

CureSearch has the most current list of active COG cancer centers which can be found at:

CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation Headquarters
4600 East-West Highway, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814
Toll-free number: 1-800-458-6223 (1-800-458-NCCF)
Web site: www.curesearch.org/

The CureSearch Web site shows US pediatric cancer centers by state, and has lists of COG centers in other countries as well. Some of the centers are hospitals, while others are treatment groups affiliated with a local children’s hospital. If you have questions, you can call them at the 800 number above.

Along with the cancer center directory, the CureSearch Web site also offers information for patients, parents, family, and friends about childhood cancers. The site also has updates on clinical trials and treatments, and includes links to helpful sites for children, an e-newsletter, survivor guidelines, and public awareness programs.