Cancer in adolescence

Abstract

Adolescence is a flexible concept reflecting specific developmental tasks but broadly encompassing individuals in their teens and early twenties. Comparison of published data from cancer registries demonstrates that the incidence of cancer (rate/106/year) increases through the 5 year age bands 10-14 (range 100-130.1 for males, 80-115.3 for females), 15-19 (range 154.3-220.7 for males, 127-206.7 for females) and 20-24 (229 for males, 313 for females). Leukaemia and central nervous system tumours predominate in the 10-14 year group but during mid and late adolescence lymphomas become the main single tumour group and epithelial cancers become increasingly common. Arguments are presented for the formation of specialised adolescent cancer units based on the premise that centralisation of care would lead to improved treatment and survival. The physical, psychological, social and educational needs of adolescents are best served by the expertise of a single multidisciplinary team.