PediatricOncology:ModernDayHeroes

AlyssaMonroe

EnglishIIIStandardPd.2/6
Mr.Piatak
February26,2015

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AlyssaMonroe
26February2015
Mr.Piatak
SIIIpd.2

PediatricOncology:ModernDayHeroes
Cancer.Adiseasewhereyougetamalignantgrowthortumorresultingfromthedivision
ofabnormalcells.SometypesarecuredwithChemoradiationand/orsurgery.Othersbecome
terminalanddonotmakeit.Cancerdoesnotjustsubsideinolderpeople,butchildrenandyoung
adultstoo.Pediatriconcologyisaheartwrenchingyetrewardingcareerwhichcreateseveryday
superheroeswhosaveskidslives,involvesalotofschooling,anddevelopsextensiveknowledge
ofcancer.
PediatricOncologistsaremoderndaysuperheroes.Theysavekidslivesonadailybasis.
Thisisaprofessionwhereapassionforsavingkidslivesmustbeobtained.Cancerhasbecome
morecurableovertheyearsduetoadvancementsintechnologyandmedicine(
Meyer,Lacy.
"Timeline:MilestonesinCancerTreatment|Page4."
|CureMagazine
.CureMagazine,3Oct.
2008.Web.26Feb.2015.)
.Althoughtheyarenotprogressingasfastastheywouldliketo,

medicineandtechnologycontinuetoprogressovertime.Technologyalongwithmedicinehas
improvedgreatlybutstillusesitsoriginsasabaselinetodaySuchaswhenradiationwas
inventedandhowwehavefoundchemicalsinmarijuanathathelpduringthetreatmentprocess
(
Meyer,Lacy."Timeline:MilestonesinCancerTreatment|Page4."
|CureMagazine.
Cure
Magazine,3Oct.2008.Web.26Feb.2015.)
Now,
Someformsofchildrenscancernowhave

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cureratesof80percent,Aamazingimprovementonthe20percentthatwerestandardthirty
yearsago(
'SomeKidsDoDie'
By:Carmichael,Mary.Newsweek.6/23/2008,Vol.151Issue25,
p4848.2/3p.1ColorPhotograph.
)duetotechnologicalandmedicalimprovements.Although
thingshavebeenprogressing,Theyhavenotprogressedattheneededspeed.PediatricOncology
isoneoftheleastfundedcancersintheUnitedStates.

Latelygovernmentmoneyishardto
comeby.FundingfortheChildren'sOncologyGroup,anationwidescientificnetwork,hasbeen
"flatfor10years."(
'SomeKidsDoDie'
By:Carmichael,Mary.Newsweek.6/23/2008,Vol.151
Issue25,p4848.2/3p.1ColorPhotograph.
)Sometreatmentcentersstillusechemoradiation
thats30yearsbehinditstimeandtreatkidswiththeharshmedicinethatadultsaretreatedwith.
Nottomention,theresourcescontinuetodepleteaswell.Thefieldhastakenitscurrentcancer
drugsaboutasfarastheycango.Theremightnotbemuchmoreprogressuntilscientistsinvent
newones(grier).Withouttheproperandnecessarymedicinethesurvivalrateisgoingtodrop.
Notallchildrenandyoungadultswillsurvivehavingcancer."Pediatriccancerisrare",Doctor
Griersays.Someformsaren'tevencurable.InanInterviewconductedwithDoctorThomas
McLean,HestatesthattheabsolutehardestpartofhisjobisthedeathofachildSayingItsnot
onlyhardontheparentsandthepatientssiblings,butalsothenursesanddoctorsinvolvedinthe
child'scare.(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015)Todayoneoutofeight
childrenwithcancerwillnotsurviveorinsimplerterms,12percentwhoarediagnosedwith
cancerdonotsurvive
(
"CureSearchforChildrensCancersMissionIstoEndChildrensCancer
byDrivingTargetedandInnovativeResearchwithMeasurableResultsinanAcceleratedTime
Frame."
CureSearchforChildrensCancer.
N.p.,n.d.Web.24Feb.2015.
)

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TheEducationtobecomingaPediatricOncologistisratherextensive.Youmusthave4
yearsofcollegeandmedicalschool,thenathreeyearresidencyinpediatrics.Followedbya
threeyearhematologyoncologyfellowship.Duringthelastsixyearsbeforecomingaboard
certifieddoctor,Thestudentsworkusuallyinvolvesresearchandteachingwhilealsoseeing
patients.Oncetheyhavemetallofthefieldrequirements,thedoctorsgotogettheircertification
fromtheamericanboardofpediatrics(
"WhatIsaPediatricHematologist/Oncologist?"
HealthyChildren.org
.AmericanAcademyOfPediatrics,n.d.Web.04Jan.2015.)
.Doctor
thomasMcLeancompletedatotalof14yearsbeforebecomingapediatriconcologist.Hegot
hisbachelorsofsciencefromfurmanuniversitywhichtookfouryears,AMedicalDoctordegree
fromthemedicaluniversityofSouthCarolina(locatedincharleston,SC)aftertakingfouryears
aswell,Apediatricresidencyforthreeyears,andafellowshipinpediatrichematology/oncology
foranotherthreeyears.Hestates,everycoursetakeninhighschoolonhasplayedaroleinhis
education,developmentasaphysician,andcareer(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24
february2015).Although,surgeonsandradiationoncologiststreatcancerinchildrenpatients,
theterm'pediatriconcologist'referstophysicianswhohavespecializedinpediatricsandthen
receivedfurthertraininginmedicaloncologyandhematology(suchaswhatDoctorMcLean
did).Thismeansratherthemusingsurgeryorradiationtherapytotreatcancer,pediatric
oncologiststypicallyusemedicationsandchemotherapy(
"PediatricOncologist:JobDescription,
DutiesandOutlook."
EducationPortal
.EducationPortal,n.d.Web.05Jan.2015.
).Childrendo
notgetallofthecancersadultscangetsopediatriconcologistmightseemorehematologycases
thenoncologycases.
Pediatriconcologisttypicallyearnamedianexpectedsalaryof$195,249annuallyandthe

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demandforpediatriconcologist,physiciansandsurgeons,areexpectedtoincreaseby24percent
between2010and2020duetotheprojected55percentincreaseincancerpatientsby2020
(
"PediatricOncologistSalary|PediatricOncologySalaryin2013."
HealthcareSalaries
PediatricOncologistSalaryComments
.HealthcareSalaries,n.d.Web.06Jan.2015.)
Pediatric
OncologistWorkaroundtheclock.Dr.McLeanworksonaverage55to60hoursperweek,plus
hisOncallhours.Although,hesaid,someweekscanbeupto80to90hoursperweek.
(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015)

BeingaPOtakesleadership,diligenceandtheabilitytoworkwithothers.Thetypeof

opportunitiesthatthisjobbringsisthesatisfactionofhelpingothers,lifelonglearning,patient
carewhilecreatingpersonalrelationshipsthatwilllastalifetime,teaching,research,working
withadministration,traveling,andAlongwiththemedicalaspectofthejob,theywillalso
councilthegrievingfamily.
Pursuingacareerinthisfieldcanbeveryrewardingbutalsoveryheartwrenching.Alot
ofpsychologicalaspectscomewithbeingpediatriconcologist.Youarenotonlytheirdoctorbut
theircounselortoo.Childrenwithcancermayhaveproblemscopingwiththestressoftreatment
andsurgery(
Marcus,Joel."PsychosocialIssuesinPediatricOncology."
TheOchsnerJournal
.
TheAcademicDivisionofOchsnerClinicFoundation,31Dec.1969.Web.6Jan.2015.
),
Thereforeitissolelythedoctorsjobtocomfortpatientsandtheirfamilyandtomeeteverysingle
needtheyhavetomaketheirexperiencewithcancerandtheinstitutionasstressfreeaspossible.
Aschildrendevelopcancertheyalsodevelopsomepsychologicalissuessuchasdepression,
anxietyandconcernsaboutdeath(
Marcus,Joel."PsychosocialIssuesinPediatricOncology."
TheOchsnerJournal
.TheAcademicDivisionofOchsnerClinicFoundation,31Dec.1969.

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Web.6Jan.2015.)
PediatricOncologyisdifferentthanadultoncologyinmanymanyways.
Childrendeveloplessmentalhealthproblemsthanadultsdo,andgenerallykidswithcancerjust
doalotbetterthanadultswithcancer.(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015)
TobecomeaPediatriconcologistyoumustbecomefamiliarwithcancerandcreatean
extensiveknowledgeaboutitall,Wherecancercomesfrom,howitforms,Thedifferenttypesof
cancer,howeachistreated,Howextensiveeachtreatmentshouldbe,Thefutureofcancer
researchandfindingacure.Thereareavarietyofcancersfromskincancertoleukemiato
Wilmstumor(kidneycancer)andmore(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015).
Mostoncologistalsoworkwithblooddiseases(hematology),whichcanconsistoftypesof
anemiaandbleeding/clottingdisorders(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015).A
diagnosisthatapediatriconcologistwouldtellapatient,usuallybeginswithsomebloodtestsif
thefamilyisnoticingthechildhavingabnormalsymptomsorifalumpisfoundsomewhereon
thebody.Nexttheywouldbiopsythecanceroussight,thatwaytheyknowforsureifitscancer
orjustbenign(
"HowIsCancerDiagnosed?"
HowIsCancerDiagnosed?
AmericanCancer
Society,n.d.Web.26Feb.2015.
).Afteritsaconfirmedthatapatienthascancer,treatment

mustbestartedrapidly.Cancersaretreatedwithchemotherapyandradiation,targetedtherapy,
immunotherapy,hyperthermia,stemcelltransplants,photodynamictherapy,bloodtransfusions
(hematology),lasers,andsurgery(
"HowIsCancerDiagnosed?"
HowIsCancerDiagnosed?
AmericanCancerSociety,n.d.Web.26Feb.2015.
)notalltreatmentsworkoncertainstagesof

cancer,thereforethepatientcouldpassaway.Someofthetreatmentoptionsaresoharshonthe
bodythattheymakepatientssickand/orlosetheirhair.AccordingtoDr.Mclean,hehasnoticed
thatchildrencantoleratehigherdosesofchemotherapy,theycanbouncebackfromit

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faster.(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015)
AtypicaldayforDoctorThomasMcLeanusuallystartsat8to830AMandheusually
makesithomearound7PM.Hesaidheenjoysthathisdaysverybetweentimesandhours
worked.Mcleansaidhetakescareofchildrenwithblooddiseasesandcancer(McLean,Thomas.
Emailinterview.24february2015).Hesays,caringforthechildpatientstypicallyinvolves
talkingwiththepatientandtheirfamilies,performingphysicalexaminations,orderingscansand
xrays,orderingandinterpretingbloodtests,performingproceduresandprescribingtreatments
(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015).DoctorThomasMcLeanroutinely
performstwoproceduresknownaslumbarpunctureandbonemarrowaspirate/biopsywhere
bothinvolveinsertingneedlesintothebacksofpatientstoobtainsamplesand/orgivemedicines.
(Patientsareusuallysedatedsothattheyarenotinpain.)Alongwithtakingcareofpatientsin
thehospital(inpatients)andpatientsintheclinic(outpatients),DoctorThomasregularlymeets
withotherphysicianswhoareinvolvedinthecaringofeachofhispatients,Teachesmedical
studentsandresidents,doesresearchtofurtherhisknowledgeoncancer,Heserveson
committees,andoverseesclinicaltrialsatWakeForestforpediatricOncologypatients(McLean,
Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015).DoctorMcleanisoncallanaverageofoneoutof
everysixnightsandoneoutofeverysixweekends.Hesays,hetakesweekdaycallfromhome
andtypicallyget56callsafterhours(between5PMand8AMthenextday).Fortunately,most
ofthosecomebefore10PM,buthefrequently(04callspernight)getscalledwhenheis
asleepandhastogetupandtalkonthephone.McLeanrarelyhastogointothehospitalinthe
middleofthenight.Whenoncallforaweekend,hetakescallsfrom5PMFridayuntil8AM
Monday,andmakesroundsontheinpatientsonbothSaturdayandSunday(McLean,Thomas.

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Emailinterview.24february2015).
Thefutureofcancercareandfindingacurehasneverlookedbrighter!SomeCanadian
researchershavealreadyfoundasimplecureforcancer.Manymorescientistsandresearchers
arelookingformorewaystocurecancer.
PediatricOncologists,suchasDoctorMcLean,Lovetheirjobandhaveastrongpassion
forit.ilovechildren,saysdoctorMcLean(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february
2015).Helovestodoactivitiesandinteractwithhispatientsotherthantellingthemmedical
stuff.Theylovetolaughalot,makeart,playmusic,tellsillyjokes,giveprizes/toystothekids
(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015).McLeansaysitisfunandhegetsto
expresshisinnerchildthatisinmostofus(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february
2015).Oncologistlovegoinginandseeingtheirpatientsandcreatingstrongbondsand
relationshipswiththemthatwilllastforever.IntheInterviewwithDoctorThomas,hewasasked
whatisthemostrewardingpartofbeingapediatriconcologist?Intheshortterm,itis
satisfyingtogohomeeachdayknowingthatmytimewaswellspentcaringforchildren(and
theirfamilies,fromanemotionalstandpoint).Inthelongterm,Ifollowmanypatientsforyears,
andIenjoywatchingthemgrowupintohealthyyoungadults.IlovetogetemailsandChristmas
cardsfromthem,andsometimesweevengetweddinginvitationsandbirthannouncements!
Thesecanbeapotentinspirationfortoilingon,especiallyifIvehadabaddayorweek
.(McLean,Thomas.Emailinterview.24february2015)Somechildrenwhodefeatcancergrow
upandbecomesomeoftheworldsbestcancerresearchersanddoctors,whichisagreatfeeling
tothedoctorthatcuredthemandmadethemthepersontheygrowuptobe.Itsaveryrewarding
feeling.

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BeingaPediatricOncologistisaverychallengingyetrewardingcareer.Whiletreating
childrenandsavingtheirlives,Doctorsgettocreatepersonalrelationshipswiththepatientsand
makelifelongfriends.Medicineandtechnologythattreatcancerhaveprogressedthroughthe
yearsandweareontherighttracktofindingacuretothishorriblediseasethattakesthelivesof
millions.POshavebusyschedulesandarealwaysontheirfeetbutseeingachildswarming
smilemakesallofthehardworkworthitintheendoftheday.PediatriconcologistsareModern
daySuperHeroes,savingskidslivesonedayatatime.

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WorksCited

"HowIsCancerDiagnosed?"
HowIsCancerDiagnosed?
AmericanCancerSociety,n.d.Web.
26Feb.2015.
<
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/t
estingbiopsyandcytologyspecimensforcancer/testingbiopsyandcytologyspecimensforc
ancerhowiscancerdiagnosed
>.
Meyer,Lacy."Timeline:MilestonesinCancerTreatment|Page4."
|CureMagazine.
Cure
Magazine,3Oct.2008.Web.26Feb.2015.
<
http://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2008/specialissue2008/timelinemilestonesi
ncancertreatment/4
>.

Marcus,Joel."PsychosocialIssuesinPediatricOncology."
TheOchsnerJournal
.TheAcademic
DivisionofOchsnerClinicFoundation,31Dec.1969.Web.6Jan.2015.
<
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448242/
>.

"PediatricOncologistSalary|PediatricOncologySalaryin2013."
HealthcareSalaries
PediatricOncologistSalaryComments
.HealthcareSalaries,n.d.Web.06Jan.2015.
<
http://www.healthcaresalaries.com/physicians/pediatriconcologistsalary
>.

"ListofCancerTypes."
ListofCancerTypes
.AmericanCancerSociety,n.d.Web.05Jan.2015.
<
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/showallcancertypes/index
>.

"PediatricOncologist:JobDescription,DutiesandOutlook."
EducationPortal
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Portal,n.d.Web.05Jan.2015.
<
http://educationportal.com/articles/Pediatric_Oncologist_Job_Description_Duties_and
Outlook.html
>.
"WhatIsaPediatricHematologist/Oncologist?"
HealthyChildren.org
.AmericanAcademyOf
Pediatrics,n.d.Web.04Jan.2015.
<
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/familylife/healthmanagement/pediatricspeci

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lists/Pages/WhatisaPediatricHematologistOncologist.aspx
>.
'SomeKidsDoDie'
By:Carmichael,Mary.Newsweek.6/23/2008,Vol.151Issue25,p4848.2/3p.1Color
Photograph.

McLean,ThomasW.,DR."PediatricOncologist."Emailinterview.24Feb.2015.

"CureSearchforChildrensCancersMissionIstoEndChildrensCancerbyDrivingTargeted
andInnovativeResearchwithMeasurableResultsinanAcceleratedTimeFrame."

CureSearchforChildrensCancer.
N.p.,n.d.Web.24Feb.2015.<
http://curesearch.org/
>.