ESMO Handbook of Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults
Preface
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer stand at the interface between paediatric and adult oncology. Tumours in AYAs represent a unique disease constellation with distinct epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics. Prognosis in many of these malignancies in AYAs tends to be worse compared with their older or younger counterparts with the same diagnosis. Moreover, young people tend to consider themselves ‘immortal’ and unaffected by cancer. Diagnosis of malignancy is usually delayed and comes as a tremendous shock to the patient and her/his family, impacting profoundly on educational, professional, social and personal activities.
Due to these unique factors, AYAs with cancer need to be treated by skilled personnel within an appropriate infrastructure in specialised facilities. Management needs to be multidisciplinary, carefully balancing radical treatment with curative intent while avoiding overtreatment and late-treatment sequelae. This handbook, born within the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)/European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP Europe) AYA Joint Working Group, comes to serve this exact purpose. Written by experienced paediatric and adult oncologists, it aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the clinician regarding the optimal management of AYAs with cancer.
Above all, it comes to raise awareness on this sensitive patient group and is dedicated to these young heroes who deserve only the best care from us.
Giannis Mountzios
On behalf of the Editors and the ESMO/SIOPE AYA Joint Working Group
