Background: Adolescents aged 15-19 years are variably included in analyses of childhood cancer. They should be considered separately because tumours that occur in adolescents differ from those in younger children.
Aim: To describe the distribution of tumour types and treatment results in this group of patients treated in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at The Children's Memorial Health Institute.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients aged 15-19 years treated in our institution was performed. It included demographic data, tumour types and treatment results.
Results: Between 1998-2004, 207 pts, 110 boys and 97 girls aged 15-19 yrs (median--16.5 yrs) were treated. Distribution of tumours was as follows: CNS tumours--74 pts (35.7%), HD -18 pts (8.7%), NHL--13 pts (6.3%), bone tumours--31 pts (15%), STS--23 pts (11.1%), gonadal tumours--12 pts (5.8%), carcinomas--16 pts (7.7%), hepatomas--5 pts (2.4%), neuroblastoma--3pts (1.5%) and other 12 pts (5.8%). Out of 207 pts 130 are alive (62.8%). Seventy seven (37.2%) pts died--64 (83.1%) from disease, 9 (11.6%) from chemotherapy complications, 4 due to other reasons. 111 pts completed treatment and are disease free for 11 months to 7 yrs (median 3 yrs 11 mos) from diagnosis. Nineteen patients are still treated. Treatment results are as follows: CNS tumours--58.1%, HD - 88.8%, NHL--69.2%, bone tumours--51.6%, STS--65.2%, gonadal tumours--83.3%, carcinomas-- 56.25%.
Conclusions: Spectrum of malignancies that occur in adolescents 15-19 years of age differs from younger children. Unlike younger patients epithelial carcinomas of adults are observed in this age group. Outcome of treatment is inferior to younger patients. Adolescents should be offered optimal treatment. This specific group should be studied in many aspects.