Nobuko Hijiya, MD

My expertise is in pediatric hematology and oncology, with a particular focus on leukemias and lymphomas, or cancers of the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes. I am especially interested in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Because children are growing and developing, CML treatment and management present unique challenges—the same treatment options that work best for grown-ups may not be the right strategies for kids.

I treat children, adolescents, and young adults. I love working with this population and developing long-lasting relationships with my young patients. I am especially passionate about delivering personalized care to each of them—because no two kids are the same. Diseases like leukemia and lymphoma are challenging for anyone, but they can be especially hard on children. Symptoms like fatigue and joint pain can make it hard to move, play, and act like a kid, and some treatments can have severe side effects. I work to manage children’s symptoms and choose the right treatments for their disease, based on their individual needs. Helping these children is the most satisfying goal I can imagine.

My research revolves around the treatment of pediatric leukemias and lymphomas. I continue to explore the impact of current treatments, and I collaborate with basic science researchers to translate their breakthroughs into new drug development. I have also been involved in cancer survivorship research. As a professor and the section head of pediatric oncology, I am deeply committed to educating and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows and helping to prepare the next generation of leaders in pediatric hematology/oncology.