Palliative care for adolescents and young adults with cancer

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer represent a unique and challenging group of patients with distinct developmental and psychosocial needs that may be unrecognized or unmet during their cancer experience. Palliative care refers to the total care of a patient, regardless of his or her disease status, and aims to improve quality of life by controlling symptoms and alleviating physical, social, psychological, and spiritual suffering. Integrating palliative care into standard oncology practice for AYAs is therefore valuable, if not imperative, in improving their overall cancer experience. In this review, we aimed to describe the scope, benefits, and challenges of palliative care for AYA oncology patients. We provide a broad impression of the existing literature describing or investigating palliative care in this population. Put together, the evidence suggests that palliative care is not only needed, but can also be critically beneficial to patients, families, and health care professionals alike. As we increase public and professional awareness of the needs and applications of palliative care for AYA patients with cancer, we will ultimately enable better psychosocial outcomes of the AYA patients and their larger communities.

Psychosocial standards of care for children with cancer and their families: A national survey of pediatric oncology social workers

“…Increasing evidence is mounting that children with cancer and their families should be introduced to palliative care concepts early in their disease trajectory to facilitate adjustment to the diagnosis, increase understanding of complicated treatment plans, manage disease symptoms, and reduce emotional, spiritual, and physical suffering, regardless of prognosis (Rosenberg & Wolfe, 2013; Pritchard, Cuvelier, Harlos, & Barr, 2011; Weaver et al, 2015; Waldman & Levine, 2016). In spite of the acknowledgment of these principles, only 7.4% of institutions always provide an introduction to palliative care concepts regardless of disease status and 11.1% reported that palliative care concepts were never introduced.…”

Social Inequalities in Palliative Care for Cancer Patients in the United States: A Structured Review

“…48 Several studies found that in the month preceding death, receiving aggressive treatment was more common among young adults with cancer compared with elderly patients, and they were more likely to die in the intensive care unit. 49,50 Even when young adults with cancer received palliative care, such care is often initiated late, within a few days of death. [49][50][51][52] Populations in Rural Areas-Access to and delivery of palliative care services to those living in rural areas has been limited worldwide.…”

“…49,50 Even when young adults with cancer received palliative care, such care is often initiated late, within a few days of death. [49][50][51][52] Populations in Rural Areas-Access to and delivery of palliative care services to those living in rural areas has been limited worldwide. 53 Rural areas have limited palliative care services, which results in a disparity in care for patients with metastatic or symptomatic cancer.…”

Predictors of Quality of Life in Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer

“…Due to stark differences in five-year survival trends over the past three decades between AYAs and other age groups (i.e. pediatrics and older adults), there has been somewhat increased research focus recently on this group of individuals, with the intent of understanding their needs and improving their overall outcomes (Cheung & Zebrack, 2017;Kirk & Fraser, 2014;Nass et al, 2015;Wolfe & Rosenberg, 2013).…”