Richard J. Cohn is a Pediatric Oncologist based on High Street in Randwick, NSW, Australia. He works as part of a paediatric cancer team, looking after babies, children, and teens who are dealing with serious illnesses. It’s a big job, and it’s not just about medical treatment. Families often need clear updates, steady support, and a plan that makes sense day to day.
In many cases, his patients are children with cancers of the blood and brain, or growths that need close monitoring. This can include things like acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), neuroblastoma, and brain tumours such as medulloblastoma and posterior fossa tumours. He also helps manage rarer brain conditions, including glioma and gliomatosis cerebri, where symptoms can change as the illness moves along.
He also cares for children who need treatment that affects the whole body, not just the cancer site. For example, some children may go through periods of low blood counts, which can lead to fever and infection concerns like febrile neutropenia. Others may face complications that come with therapy, including issues with nerves (peripheral neuropathy) or side effects that can affect hearing. Over time, these problems can be stressful for families, so ongoing care and practical guidance are important.
When needed, Richard looks after patients with fertility and hormone concerns too, including infertility. He also supports children with specific syndromes where cancer risk can run in families, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome. In addition, some children seen in paediatric oncology have other medical needs that sit alongside cancer care, like congenital hyperinsulinism, which can make treatment planning more complex.
His approach is calm and grounded. In day-to-day care, that means helping coordinate treatment steps, managing symptoms as they come up, and making sure families understand what to expect next. At times, the path forward may involve bone marrow transplant care, especially for certain blood cancers or relapsed disease.
Clinical trials can be part of paediatric cancer treatment in selected situations. Where a trial option is relevant, it’s considered as part of the wider care plan. Richard’s work is focused on helping each child get the right treatment at the right time, while keeping the family supported throughout the process.