Background

This study investigated the medical care status of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and the comparison of approaches toward AYA cancer care by pediatric and adult cancer specialists.

Methods

We conducted an internet survey among 1305 specialists (192 pediatric and 1109 adult) in 2016.

Results

Awareness rate of the term “AYA” was lower for adult than for pediatric specialists. The responsible department caring for AYA cancer patients differs at the 20-year-old boundary. For the treatment of AYA patients, both pediatric and adult specialists ideally required a multidisciplinary team as a top priority issue. A special ward or hospital rooms for AYA were required mostly for AYA patients under 24, and this request was higher for pediatric specialists than for adult specialists. However, for AYA patients over 25, about 60% of adult specialists and 35% of pediatric specialists believed that no extraordinary care was required. As for desirable follow-up protocols for pediatric cancer AYA survivors, half of the specialists considered that they should be conducted mainly by pediatric specialists in cooperation with adult specialists, and 30% to 40% of the specialists considered that transition to the corresponding adult medicine department would be preferable.

Conclusion

There were obvious differences in medical care and support of AYA cancer patients according to their age, particularly under the age of 20 or 24, and according to the disease onset in AYA ages or secondary to pediatric cancers. For each aspect, appropriate programs would require close cooperation between pediatric and adult specialists.