Treatment decisions for young cancer patients: a medical oncologist’s perspective
Cancer in young people: Part of a series on diagnosing and treating young adults
Expert takeaways from: Lauren Young, MD, medical oncologist
In oncology, we are very thoughtful about each individual's unique situation. When first meeting a patient and family, I help them understand how their treatment is driven by diagnosis and stage of their cancer.
We have a multitude of cancer treatments available today, which continues to expand as we learn more about the molecular biology of cancer cells and their microenvironment. We always strive to provide all available treatment options and discuss what would fit best with your situation.
Factors to consider when treating young adult cancer patients
What is the goal and intent of treatment
The conversation is very different if we are discussing curing the cancer (curative therapy) vs relieving the symptoms or trying to slow down the spread of the cancer.
Curative therapy can treat cancers that are in an earlier stage using surgery in conjunction with systemic therapy. Some advanced cancers that have spread (metastasized), such as certain lymphomas and testicular cancers, are also curable with systemic therapy.
Systemic therapies include:
- Chemotherapy or medications given to kill or shrink almost every type of cancer but may also harm healthy parts of your body
- Hormone therapy or medications that stall hormones that help the cancer grow (e.g., preventing estrogen from increasing the size of a breast cancer tumor)
- Targeted therapy or medications that target specific parts of the cancer and cause less damage to healthy cells or tissue
- Immunotherapy or biological therapy helps your immune system fight your cancer by identifying and attacking cancer cells
Family planning
If you wish to have children in the future, we consider if the recommended treatment may alter fertility and how we can address this to fit your needs.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, we will consider what treatment can be offered and when is the safest point to begin treatment.
Menopause
Your menopausal status or stage of perimenopause may affect cancer treatment options, especially for breast cancer.
Side effects and complications
We will discuss the potential side effects and long-term complications of various cancer treatments.
Cutting-edge treatment
If a clinical trial or research study would be a good option, should you try it? Clinical trials test how new medications, diagnostic tools or devices work in humans. When you participate in a clinical trial, you may gain access to potential new cancer treatments.
Genetics and family history
We also consider genetic factors, as some gene mutations can increase your risk of developing other cancers. This can impact screening recommendations for you and your family members. Examples include:
- BRCA mutation
- Lynch syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Personalized care
Every person is unique. We work closely with our colleagues across Main Line Health to ensure we provide the very best care for all our patients and consider your needs and lifestyle throughout treatment and beyond.
Understanding cancer in young people
Main Line Health's clinicians and care team have additional insights on their approaches to diagnosing, treating and supporting young people with cancer.
Next steps
Learn more about Lauren Young, MD
Learn more about cancer care at Main Line Health
Learn more about the Genetics and Risk Assessment Program
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