Background and objective: While cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) has gained increasing attention, limited clinical and epidemiological data exist, especially in developing countries like India. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the prevalence of various cancer types among AYAs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of AYA cancer cases (aged 15-39 years) from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021. Demographics, diagnoses (categorized using the Birch classification), and clinical outcomes were collected and reviewed for their distribution based on gender ratio, age range and histological types. Results: Of 7,677 total cases, 1,155 (15.04%) were AYAs, with a gender ratio of 1.51:1 (female:male). A significant portion (47.71%) of AYAs fell within the 35-39 years age group, while only 8.4% were in the 20-24 years age group. The most prevalent cancer types were carcinomas (68.06%), followed by leukemias (16.02%) and lymphomas (7.62%). Carcinomas predominantly affected the breast, head & neck, genitourinary and gastric tract. Soft tissue sarcomas, rectal carcinomas, and head & neck cancers showed similar prevalence in both genders. Gender-specific patterns revealed breast carcinomas as the leading cancers in females, while leukemia, lymphomas and testes carcinomas were predominant in males. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of cancer among AYAs in Tamil Nadu. The observed differences in cancer distribution, compared to previous reports, can be attributed to regional factors and genetic variations. This study also contributes to the understanding of AYA cancer in India and highlights the need for tailored approaches to address the unique challenges faced by this population.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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