[Specificities of carcinomas in adolescents and young adults]

Bull Cancer. 2017 Mar;104(3):267-280. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2016.11.013. Epub 2016 Dec 15.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Carcinomas are rare tumors of the adolescent-young adult (AYA) with a different spectrum from those of adults. The most common sites outside of the thyroid is the nasopharynx, salivary gland, colon-rectum and ovaries. If nasopharyngeal carcinoma or salivary gland tumors are good prognosis, others are more reserved prognosis, such as digestive carcinomas, gynecological or midline. The revelation modes are non-specific and depend on the location: mass, tumor syndrome, pain, impaired general condition. The unusual of pediatric carcinomas led to propose a systematic oncogenetic exploration. The medical history of the family, the symptoms and the type of the carcinoma should guide the analysis. In the absence of guidance, analysis of TP53 gene and, for carcinomas of the expanded spectrum of the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, the search for mutation of MMR genes (mismatch repair) seems essential. Because of the rarity of these diseases and the absence of homogeneous recommendations, members of the rare tumors committee of the SFCE recommended for the management of these AJA, an histological review by a pathologist familiar with carcinomas of the adult, a double discussion between pediatric and adult oncologists, analysis of adult standards with adaptation to pediatric data, especially in terms of risk of side effects. An advice to a national opinion (by a member of FRACTURE group) or European (group EXPERT) is sometimes necessary in the most complex situations.

Keywords: Adolescent; Breast cancer; Carcinoma; Carcinome; Carcinome colorectal; Carcinome des glandes salivaires; Carcinome du sein; Carcinome indifférencié du nasopharynx; Colorectal carcinoma; Salivary gland carcinoma; Undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal tract.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / genetics
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Kidney Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / therapy
  • Sex Factors
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thymus Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Young Adult