Solid tumors: Family-centered, convenient and compassionate care

Our solid tumor clinic is made up of experts who span across many specialties. They help evaluate, diagnose and care for our patients with a variety of solid tumors. Whether your child is newly diagnosed with cancer, or further along in their treatment, we’ll provide care tailored to their unique needs.

We understand a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming. Our goal is to remove as much stress and anxiety as possible, while answering all your questions and planning for future treatments in a comfortable, convenient environment that becomes well-known to your family. Children with solid tumors often meet with the surgeon for the first time after having already built trusting, comfortable relationships with our clinic’s nurses, oncologists, psychologists and child life specialists.

Our ASK Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic’s solid tumor clinic brings the surgeon to your team environment where you can ask questions, review imaging studies and get confident, clear answers in one appointment.

Why choose CHoR for pediatric solid tumor care? We want kids to enjoy more time being kids

• Convenience and coordination of working with our team of experts across various specialties: Our multi-disciplinary team includes expert oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiologists, child life specialists, psychologists and nurses who are all here to help navigate a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Reduce anxiety: Patients and families can achieve more clarity by seeing the surgeon and oncologist at the same time to review images, discuss surgical notes and answer all your questions. This way you always know what is next in your child’s cancer treatment.
• Fewer trips and less time spent in the hospital: By seeing our specialists in one appointment, the burden on your family will be reduced. During the visit, your child can also receive chemotherapy or other treatments. This helps you spend less time in the outpatient clinic.
• Advanced imaging and diagnostic capabilities: Imaging procedures like CT scans and the only 3T pediatric MRI in the region, help us make an accurate diagnosis and are often an important part of your child's treatment plan. Our radiologists have tailored training to perform and interpret imaging for children with solid tumors. (Kids tumors are not the same as adult tumors)
• Access to the latest clinical trials and cancer research: We are the region’s only pediatric cancer program and are affiliated with VCU Massey Cancer Center, an NCI-designated cancer institute. Only four percent of US hospitals have this designation, and we’re part of one of only two in Virginia. This means we have access to the latest research, clinical trials and therapies for our patients.
• Get an expert second opinion: Making decisions can be very difficult as you navigate the complexities of childhood cancer. How do you are making the right treatment choices? We offer expert second opinions to help answer medical questions or decisions regarding a new diagnosis or treatment plan for your child.

Conditions we treat

• Liver tumors such as hepatoblastoma
• Kidney (renal) tumors such as Wilms' tumors
• Neuroblastoma
• Connective tissue tumors: Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, primitive sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, and non-rhabdomyosarcomas
• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Endocrine tumors
• Rare tumors

What to expect during your appointment

You will meet with an oncologist and surgeon to discuss the many aspects of your child’s diagnosis and treatment. This includes: 

• Reviewing images
• Discussing the next steps in your child’s cancer treatment
• Answering any questions
• Providing support services
• Planning visits during key points of the treatment plan

Paying for your visit:

Most patients will be charged two separate co-pays for this collaborative appointment, the same cost you would pay for two separate appointments. We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider for more information on billing.

Our experts

Our solid tumor program is made up of a multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized medical and surgical experts who treat childhood cancers. The program is led by Drs. Frances Austin and Laura Boomer.

Dr. Frances Austin

Dr. Austin is a pediatric oncologist and expert in solid tumors. Known by her patients for fighting right alongside them, she combines compassion and skill to answer questions and explain important medical information, so families have the understanding and confidence needed to make decisions about their care.

Dr. Laura Boomer

Dr. Boomer is triple-boarded in surgery, pediatric surgery and surgical critical care. Among her areas of specific interest and expertise are solid tumors and surgical oncology. Dr. Boomer brings confident kindness to each appointment and skillful precision to every surgery, ensuring that every child and family is in the best hands.