What is the difference between childhood and adult cancer?
The types of cancers that develop in children are often different from the types that develop in adults. Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors.
Do children fare better with cancer treatments than adults?
Children might seem to do better with cancer treatments than adults because they usually do not have other health problems that can get worse with cancer treatment. On the other hand, children (especially very young children) are more likely to be affected by radiation therapy if it is needed as part of treatment.
Should children be treated for cancer?
Also, children usually don’t have many of the other health problems that adults with cancer might have, which can often get worse with treatment. On the other hand, children’s bodies are still growing, and they’re more likely to have side effects from some types of treatment.
How common is cancer in young adults?
Cancers in young adults are defined as those that start between ages 20 and 39. About 80,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year in the US.
What should the age range be for AYA Oncology?
M y recommendation for the age range defining the AYA oncology population is to subdivide NCI's 15–39 age range into three age cohorts that I would define as early young adulthood (15–18 years old), young adulthood (19–24), and late young adulthood (25–39).
Is cancer common in 20 year olds?
But for statistics purposes, cancers in young adults are often thought of as those that start between the ages of 20 and 39. Cancer is not common in young adults, but a wide variety of cancer types can occur in this age group, and treating these cancers can be challenging. Most cancers occur in older adults.
At what age are most cancers diagnosed?
According to the most recent statistical data from NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, the median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66 years. This means that half of cancer cases occur in people below this age and half in people above this age.
What age group is cancer most common in?
In fact, age is the biggest risk factor for the disease. More than nine out of 10 cancers are diagnosed in people 45 and older. Seniors older than 74 make up almost 28% of all new cancer cases.
The Types of Cancers Are Different
- The types of cancers that develop in children are often different from the types that develop in adults. Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors. And only a small number of childhood cancers are caused by DNA (gene) changes that are passed from parents to their child.
Treatment Is Often More Successful
- With some exceptions, childhood cancers tend to respond better to certain treatments. This might be because of differences in the cancers themselves, as well as because children often get more intense treatments. Also, children usually don’t have many of the other health problems that adults with cancer might have, which can often get worse with treatment.
Long-Term Side Effects Are More of A Concern
- On the other hand, children’s bodies are still growing, and they’re more likely to have side effects from some types of treatment. For example, children (especially very young children) are more likely to be affected by radiation therapy. Many cancer treatments also can cause long-term side effects, so children who have had cancer will need careful follow-up for the rest of their lives.
Children with Cancer Are Treated at Pediatric Cancer Centers
- In the United States, most children and teens with cancer are treated at a center that is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). All of these centers are associated with a university or children’s hospital. These centers offer the advantage of being treated by a team of specialists who know the differences between adult and childhood cancers, as well as the unique needs of children and teens with cancer and their families. This team u…