435P - The pattern of presentation of cancer in young adults from a tertiary care centre: A cause for concern

Background

Young adults form an essential component of the country's active population and significantly impact the health-care strategy of the nation. Cancer patterns and biology in this age group differ from those in pediatric and older adults. Cancer in this age group may be due to a combination of environmental and congenital factors or neither of them. It may result from spontaneous mutations to a malignant phenotype unrelated to environmental or inherited factors. The literature is relatively scarce in the context of Indian patients diagnosed with cancer in a younger age group. This study aims at describing the disease profile of these patients in the Indian population.

Methods

The current study is a retrospective analysis of young adult patients of age between 18-39 years registered and treated from January 2018 to September 2021 in the department of Radiation Oncology. The following demographic profile and parameters were assessed: Age, gender, ECOG performance status (PS), addiction and family history, site of primary malignancies, and stage of the disease.

Results

A total of 8588 patients were registered during the study period. Of them, 850 patients ( 10%) were between the ages of 18-39. Maximum (73%) of the patient belonged to the 30-39years age group. Male to female ratios were almost equal. Young male patients were 51.6%, and females were 48.4%. Patients visiting from local region & state were 45.4% whereas from nearby states were 54.5%. 52% of patients presented with good performance score (PS ≤2). Positive family history of malignancy was found in only 3.5%, whereas 24% of the patients gave an addiction history of smoking/tobacco chewing or alcohol. The most commonly observed malignancies were with the head and neck (28%), followed by the breast (22%). Head and neck cancer mainly were observed in males (23.8%), whereas females (20.8%) had higher breast cancer. Table: 435P

Conclusions

Cancer among young adult patients forms a primary concern, especially in developing countries. The incidence of advanced and metastatic disease in this group is alarming. Reinforcement of screening programs in this age group should be a priority.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

NA.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.