Adolescent cancer care: What has changed in Spain in the past decade?

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Antonio Juan Ribelles

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Garrido Colino, Carmen
• Andion Catalan, Maitane
• Molines Honrubia, Antonio
• Ortega Acosta, Maria Jose
• Garcia Abos, Mirian
• Vagace Valero, Jose Manuel
• en nombre del Grupo de trabajo de adolescentes con cancer de la Sociedad
• Espanola de Hematologia y Oncologia Pediatrica (SEHOP)

Grupos

• Investigación Clínica y Traslacional en Cáncer

  

  Leader

  José Gómez Codina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In 2012, the Adolescents with Cancer Working Group published the results of a survey on care delivery for the adolescent population in Spain as a starting point for future intervention. The aim of this nationwide survey was to outline the current situation and assess whether the implemented strategies have resulted in changes in care delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey consisting of the same items analysed and published in 2012. The questionnaire was structured into sections devoted to epidemiology, psychosocial care, infrastructure, treatment and follow-up of adolescents with cancer. It was submitted to all hospitals in Spain with a paediatric haematology and oncology unit. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the results. RESULTS: The percentage of patients aged up to 18 years managed in paediatric units has increased from 35.9% to 77.5% in the past decade. The proportion of malignant blood tumours treated in paediatric units increased from 31% to 52%, and the proportion of solid tumours from 49% to 85%. In 2012, 30 units (out of 39) reported that new cases in adolescents amounted to up to 10% of the total. At present, only 14 (out of 40) continue to report this percentage. A decade ago, there were no specific adolescent cancer units in Spain. Now, 7 centres (out of 40) have specific multidisciplinary units. There has been little change in psychological support services for adolescents. The follow-up of survivors is carried out by paediatric specialists in 82.5% of the hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The efforts made to centralise the care of adolescents with cancer in specific multidisciplinary adolescent units or, failing that, paediatric units, is reflected in the changes in care delivery in Spain in the past decade. Much remains to be done in key components of the management of adolescents with cancer.

Copyright © 2022 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Keywords

• Adolescentes; Adolescents; Cancer; Care delivery; Cuidados; Cáncer; Encuesta; Specific units; Survey; Unidades específicas