Adolescents and young adults with a "rare" cancer: getting past semantics to optimal care for patients with germ cell tumors

Oncologist. 2014 Jul;19(7):689-92. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2014-0009. Epub 2014 Jun 4.

Abstract

Because the tumors of adolescence and young adulthood (AYA) are distinct from those that occur earlier and later in life, the most common tumors in this age group are termed “rare.” We offer a collaborative, cross-disciplinary, evidence-based approach, advocated and funded by civil society, to advance the field of germ cell tumor and potentially to apply to other rare AYA tumors.

Keywords: Adolescence; Germ cell tumors; Risk stratification; Young adults.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rare Diseases / classification*
  • Rare Diseases / pathology
  • Rare Diseases / therapy*
  • Young Adult