Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, First Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

The Unit of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology (POHem) provides full support and multidimensional care to children and adolescents with hematological and oncological diseases, as well as patients with genetic cancer predisposition syndromes. In more detail, children and adolescents with neoplastic diseases, such as leukemias, lymphomas, brain tumors, sarcomas, histiocytosis, etc, are treated. At the same time, children and adolescents with hereditary cancer predisposition diseases, such as neurofibromatosis, nodular sclerosis, Li Fraumeni syndrome, etc., are under regular follow-up. The Unit is the largest in the country based on number of treated patients with neoplastic diseases in the last three years. Among the most important distinctions is its recognition (Government Gazette No. 4271/22.11.19) as:

• Center of Expertise for Neoplastic Diseases of Childhood, member of the European Reference Network-PaedCan and Center of Expertise for Rare Diseases Predisposing to Cancer, member of the European Reference Network -Genturis (in collaboration with the respective department of the National Health System). The research activity of the Unit is important and has been particularly developed with the organization of a special laboratory for translational research. The research is supported by donations from Associations and Individuals and by research funds of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Unit has developed official collaborations with centers abroad such as the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) – KiTZ/Hopp Children Cancer Center of Heidelberg. The official participation of our Unit in the INFORM international research protocol for molecular analyses and targeted therapies has given hope to many patients, with recurrent resistant or rare malignant diseases, from all over Greece.