Unique considerations for adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients are commonly defined by the National Cancer Institute as individuals aged 13-39 years [1, 2]. For the purpose of this chapter, we will focus on the subset of early AYA age 13-21 years (AeYA) as this younger age group is more representative of the ages of AYA most commonly treated in pediatric hematology-oncology centers. Adolescence is a unique developmental period characterized by biological, psychological, and social tasks which vary as an individual passes from early adolescence through mid-adolescence and onward to late adolescence [3]. AeYA represents a unique patient population, positioned between childhood and burgeoning adulthood. This developmental stage is marked by rapid brain maturation and neurocognitive advances; one such example of psychological development is the shift from concrete thinking patterns to more complex abstract thought patterns [3-5]. Socially, the period of adolescence is typically marked by the emotional separation from parents, stronger identification with peers, and greater social autonomy as the AeYA moves toward independence [3-6].