Department of Pediatric Oncology, Santa Marcelina Hospital / TUCCA, Rua Santa Marcelina 181 A, São Paulo, Brazil.
Curr Oncol Rep. 2013 Aug;15(4):325-31. doi: 10.1007/s11912-013-0324-6.
Adolescents and young adults with cancer are a distinct subgroup of patients within oncology. From the onset of symptoms until the completion of therapy and beyond, they face physical, psychological, and social challenges that are significantly different from those of adults and children. Survival rates and quality of life outcomes for this population have not improved to the same extent that have for younger and older patients. Improvements in quality of care, overall survival and quality of life for these patients require access to specialized care and participation in clinical trials; assistance with management of disease and treatment effects (especially fertility and body image issues); assessment of psychosocial needs; facilitated transition to off-treatment care; and referral to age-appropriated information and support services. Staff team caring for young patients must be dedicated to working with this age group and should have specialist knowledge and training to support their specific needs.
癌症青少年和青年患者是肿瘤学中一个独特的亚组患者。从症状出现到治疗完成及以后，他们面临着与成人和儿童显著不同的身体、心理和社会挑战。该人群的生存率和生活质量结果并未像年轻和老年患者那样得到同样程度的改善。要改善这些患者的护理质量、总生存率和生活质量，就需要获得专门的护理并参与临床试验；需要帮助管理疾病和治疗效果（特别是生育和身体形象问题）；需要评估社会心理需求；需要为治疗结束后的护理提供便利；并需要转介给适合其年龄的信息和支持服务。照顾年轻患者的医护团队必须致力于为这一年龄组服务，并且应该具有专业知识和培训，以满足他们的特殊需求。
