Resources and information for parents of children with cancer . . . by parents of children with cancer.

The Problems With Teen Cancer Care

Only one-third of teen cancer patients receive their care at pediatric oncology centers, and fewer teens are enrolled in clinical trials. This is sometimes referred to as the teen gap in cancer care.

The Spring 2005 issue of the Candlelighters Newsletter has an excellent article on this topic entitled "Age Matters: The Problems with Teen Cancer Care", by Karen Albritton, MD. You can download a PDF version of this newsletter from the page below:

In the same issue are two other articles of interest to teens, From Behind a Cancer Teen's Eyes and Tips for Teens.

SIOP Symposium on Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. Several articles in this special issue of Pediatric Blood and Cancer, including:

Young adult oncology: the patients and their survival challenges. Archie Bleyer. CA Cancer J Clin. 2007 Jul-Aug;57(4):242-55. PubMed abstract. (Free full text available through this link.)

MD Anderson Adolescent and Young Adult Program MD Anderson is the only facillity that I am aware of that has a special program for this age group of patients. According to the information on the web page, the program offers more than simply social support.

Delays in cancer diagnosis in underinsured young adults and older adolescents. Martin, S., et al. The Oncologist, Vol. 12, No. 7, 816-824, July 2007. Full text.

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Outcome on UK national paediatric (ALL97) and adult (UKALLXII/E2993) trials. Ramya Ramanujachar, Sue Richards, Ian Hann, Anthony Goldstone, Christopher Mitchell, Ajay Vora, Jacob Rowe, David Webb. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 254 - 261, Published Online: 18 Jan 2006. Abstract.

Closing the Gap: Research and Care Imperatives for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer - Report of the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group. From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH, NCI, LIVESTRONGTM Young Adult Alliance. PDF file.

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Emerging from the shadow of paediatric and adult treatment protocols. Ramanujachar R, Richards S, Hann I, Webb D. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print] PubMed abstract.

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Outcome on UK national paediatric (ALL97) and adult (UKALLXII/E2993) trials. Ramanujachar R, Richards S, Hann I, Goldstone A, Mitchell C, Vora A, Rowe J, Webb D. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Jan 1. Abstract.

The treatment of adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. DJ Deangelo. Hematology, January 1, 2005; 123-30. MedLine Abstract.

The adolescent and young adult gap in cancer care and outcome. Bleyer A. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care - May 2005 (Vol. 35, Issue 5, Pages 182-217). This is a review article; this summary plus link may or may not work for you. I do have a pdf of this article.

Cancer Survival Gap: Progress Stalls for Young Adults. Amy Marcus, Wall Street Journal, July 5, 2005, Page D1. New Programs, Clinical Trials Target Patients 15 to 40 in Effort to Improve Recovery Rates. Available online to subscribers.

Juvenile cancer: improving care for adolescents and young adults within the frame of medical oncology. G. Pentheroudakis and N. Pavlidis. Annals of Oncology 2005 16(2):181-188. Review article. Abstract.

Teen cancers on the rise, experts say. Viruses, passive smoking, lifestyle may play a part. But while survival rates for children and adults with the disease have improved in recent decades, they have remained unchanged for adolescents and young adults. “'We’ve orphaned this particular age group,' Professor Archie Bleyer, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, told the Third International Conference on Adolescent Cancer. 'Young people and older adolescents have been left behind.'" (2004 MSNBC online article.) Also on cancerpage.com.

Teenagers Not Told of Cancer Treatment Risks-Study London May 10, 2004 (Reuters)

European Journal of Cancer - December 2003 (Vol. 39, Issue 18). Several articles:

General Disclaimer

These pages are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to render medical advice. The information provided on Ped Onc Resource Center should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you suspect your child has a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.

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