ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to disclose the variability of pathways currently taken in the treatment of adolescent patients from diagnosis to final follow-up with a view to developing a more homogenous system. Patients & methods: A cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study of the cancer diagnosis and assignment to medical care teams in adolescent patients (12-20 years) from January 2008 to December 2018 was conducted. A total of 345 adolescent patients aged between 12 and 20 years, diagnosed with cancer and treated at Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca were included. Results: CNS tumors, followed by leukemia were the most frequent tumors. At the time of diagnosis, the highest incidences of patients were assisted in the pediatrics service adult oncology service (21.7%) and hematology (11%). Conclusion: Our aim is to highlight the need for a better transition for patients from pediatric to adult oncology and hematology services.
Lay abstract This study shows the reality of the care of adolescent cancer patients in a hospital in southern Spain. A cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study of cancer diagnoses and assignment to medical care teams in adolescent patients (1220 years) from January 2008 to December 2018 was conducted. A total of 345 adolescent patients between 12 and 20 years old who had a cancer diagnosis and were treated at Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca were included. CNS tumors, followed by leukemia were the most frequent. At the time of diagnosis, the patients were most commonly attended by the pediatrics service, which concentrates 46.5% of the study population. There is great variability in the treatment and follow-up of the same tumors. The need for a better transition for patients from pediatric to adult oncology and hematology services is demonstrated.
