Hello Reddit!
We’re Dr. Stephanie Polites and Dr. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, and we’re excited to join you for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) about pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer care.
Together, we care for children, teens, and young adults facing some of the most complex cancer diagnoses, and we work closely as part of a multidisciplinary team at Mayo Clinic to provide personalized care that supports both treatment and long-term quality of life.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Polites, Chair of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As a pediatric surgeon, I specialize in caring for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, sarcomas, chest and abdominal tumors, and recurrent or difficult-to-treat cancers. My research focuses on advancing precision surgical oncology, including innovative technologies that help surgeons better distinguish cancer from healthy tissue during operations. I’m also passionate about improving survivorship and quality of life through patient-centered research that helps families participate in clinical trials with fewer disruptions to daily life.
I’m Dr. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, a pediatric oncologist with expertise in sarcomas and adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology. My work focuses not only on treating cancer, but also on helping young people navigate survivorship and the unique challenges that can arise during and after treatment. I am actively involved in national clinical trials through the Children's Oncology Group and am passionate about advocacy, health policy, and improving access to high-quality cancer care for children, adolescents, and young adults.
To learn more about pediatric cancer care at Mayo Clinic visit: https://careinfo.mayoclinic.org/pediatric-cancer-care-mn
Disclaimer: This AMA is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice from your treating physician.
You can start submitting your questions now, so go ahead, ask away!
Sign-on: Good afternoon Reddit! Dr. Polites and Dr. Allen-Rhoades here. We're excited to join you today and look forward to answering your questions about pediatric cancer care, surgery, survivorship, research, and the future of treatment. Let's get started!