Cancer in adolescents

Abstract

Cancer in adolescents (15 to 19 years) appears to be a serious medical, psychologic, ethical and economical problem as well. This group of patients has been languishing in the shadow of pediatric oncology and out of interest of adult oncology. Spectrum of types of tumors and their biologal characteristics are age-specific and different from all other age groups. The overall incidence of cancer in adolescents is continuously increasing. Treatment results and outcome of adolescent cancer are worse compared with outcome in children with cancer younger than 15 years.