Treating Leukemia in Children and Other Cancers in Teens & Young Adults
Teens and young adults with cancer often feel caught in between younger pediatric patients and older medical patients. At the Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute, we’ve developed an adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer program tailored to this age group, which includes a specialized team of experts, a facility with amenities that appeal to teens and young adults, and access to the latest in treatments and clinical trials.
Germ Cell Tumors and Other Common Types of Cancer
Each year, around 70,000 teens and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. In fact, cancer is the leading cause of death from medical issues for this population. Certain cancers are more likely to occur in this age group than children or adults. Examples of these cancers are Ewing sarcoma and germ cell tumors.
Cancer in Young Adults
The most common types of cancer in young adults and teens include:
- Brain tumors and central nervous system tumors
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Germ cell tumors (extracranial germ cell tumors and extragonadal germ cell tumors)
- Leukemia – acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Leukemia – acute myeloid leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lymphoma, Hodgkin
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
- Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Neurocutaneous syndromes
- Sarcomas
- Bone sarcoma (osteosarcoma)
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Uterine sarcoma
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Treatment-resistant cancers
Why Choose Us?
- Specialized Care for Teens and Young Adults with Cancer
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Here at Angie’s Institute, we are dedicated to improving outcomes for cancer patients between the ages of 15-30. Teens and young adults face unique challenges that differ from younger children and adults. We’ve developed a center dedicated to cancer support for teens living with cancer, led by a passionate team of internationally recognized specialists in cancer care.
Because of our close relationship with adult cancer specialists at UH Seidman Cancer Center and other specialty areas within UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, our integrated care teams are uniquely positioned to treat teens and young adults with cancer. Another advantage is that our primary locations for both cancer programs are on the same medical campus, enabling close collaboration between specialists.
- Access to Innovative Therapies
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Our adolescent and young adult specialists are passionate about early diagnosis strategies and finding more lifesaving treatment options for this age group. Because of the strength of our research enterprise, many therapies are available to our patients earlier than other centers. Our team is made up of fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric physicians and experts who focus exclusively on improving outcomes for teens and young adults with cancer.
- Age-Appropriate Supportive Environments
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When it comes to cancer treatment, most adolescents and young adults are caught in the middle – either in a pediatric unit with small children or in adult facilities with older patients.
Our Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute provides crucial clinical, social and emotional support in an age-appropriate setting. Spaces within Angie’s Institute are designed to help patients connect with each other and promote comfort and healing, while still meeting the clinical demands of an elite cancer treatment center. In addition, patients have many opportunities to connect with other patients and survivors their age, which can give them hope for survival.
Highlights of our facility include:
- A teen lounge with an interactive wall, a wi-fi bar and quiet, private spaces for reading and watching television
- A bright and modern space that it is uplifting and can generate hope
- Located within the outpatient center, an in-house dedicated pharmacy fills prescriptions and therapeutic treatments for all UH Rainbow cancer patients, on demand
- Patient-controlled, colorful LED lighting in exam and treatment rooms
- Public and private treatment spaces so patients can choose their treatment experience
- A healing garden on the 7,500-square-foot rooftop with unique horticulture therapy programming
Clinical Support Team
Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute includes a multidisciplinary team of AYA cancer doctors and specialists. In addition, the institute includes other unique behavioral health experts with extensive knowledge of AYA cancer. Among these specialists are psychologists and advance practice nurses dedicated to the teen and young adult population. Our support team helps teen and young adult patients throughout their journey, as a supplement to their medical treatment.
As part of our commitment to comprehensive care for teens living with cancer, we also have clinical psychologists readily available. Our psychologists help provide teens and young adults with the mental and emotional support they need during cancer treatment. These therapists are highly skilled and trained in understanding how to best care for teen patients in a more inclusive way.
Peer-to-Peer Support
It’s rare for teens and young adults to meet others in their age group in everyday life who are going through the same experience. Yet positive connections and a meaningful cancer support network can go a long way toward speeding a patient’s recovery.
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s provides an environment just for teens and young adults, which facilitates important peer-to-peer relationships and conversations. We also provide a cancer caregiver support group, for anyone over the age of 18 who loves someone with cancer. Our support is comprehensive for patients, families and caregivers.
Ways to Connect
Angie’s Institute AYA Groups: Our program offers two support groups, one for ages 12-17 and another for young adults 18 and up. These groups are currently being held virtually at least once a month. Share stories, ask questions, and most of all, know that you’re not alone. Contact Whitney.Hadley@UHhospitals.org to learn more.
GRYT app: This mobile app provides instant, anonymous peer support and targeted cancer information to anyone affected by cancer. Patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, family, medical professionals, researchers and advocates all benefit from this app.
Cancer Prevention in Teens
The HPV Vaccine prevents about 30 percent of cancers in adults. Watch as John Letterio, MD, Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospitals explains how this vaccine is a form of immunotherapy and will allow us to eradicate many HPV-related cancers in our lifetime.
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