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Ferrari A, Perillo T, Milano GM, Silva M, Rutigliano C, Salvo A, Livellara V, Conte M, Coccoli L, Amore E, Pierobon M, Vietina F, Pagani Bagliacca E, Spinelli M, Massei MS, Massetti V, Legnani E, Puglisi I, Zucchetti G, Quarello P. The power of art and the powers of adolescents with cancer: Age-specific projects at Italian pediatric oncology centers. TUMORI JOURNAL 2024:3008916241245005. [PMID: 38591573 DOI: 10.1177/03008916241245005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
This article describes the oncology programs developed in Italy for adolescents and young adults with cancer, with a specific focus on the local projects created in pediatric oncology centers. A common feature of such projects is the emphasis on creative and artistic activities and laboratories (involving music, photography, novel writing, fashion design, and so on) designed to give young patients innovative means of expression.This article highlights the amazing powers of adolescents involved in these projects: the power to produce beautiful things in a place that is not normally associated with the idea of beauty; the power to make their doctors smile and grasp the profound sense of life; the power to make hospitals become places for producing culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Perillo
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rutigliano
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Salvo
- Hematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Virginia Livellara
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Coccoli
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Amore
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Pierobon
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Division, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Vietina
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Division, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Pagani Bagliacca
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Fondazione MBBM, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Spinelli
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Fondazione MBBM, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Speranza Massei
- Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Massetti
- Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Legnani
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglisi
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Zucchetti
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Quarello
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Torino, Italy
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Bozovic Spasojevic I, Ferrari A, De Munter J, Gamble A, Konsoulova-Kirova A, Rizvi K, Schneider C, Balsat M, Castleton A, Gofti-Laroche L, Kienesberger A, Timmermann B, Vormoor J, Saloustros E, Stark DP. Have we made progress in taking care of adolescents and young adults with cancer? Results of a European multi-professional survey. TUMORI JOURNAL 2023; 109:546-554. [PMID: 37486101 DOI: 10.1177/03008916231183477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well documented that traditional health care models do not meet the specific needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) cancer patients. METHODS We explore a map of the development of age-specific AYA cancer care across Europe, from the perspective of healthcare professionals with an interest in AYA care, in order to understand the specific challenges and map progress over time. An on-line survey was developed by international professional cancer organisations. RESULTS We had 377 respondents from 60 countries. The majority of respondents were physicians 298 (79%), a minority of survey respondents (39, 10.4%) work exclusively with AYA patients, most respondents declared substantial and routine clinical service collaborations to provide care and treatment to AYA with cancer. Policy for the multidisciplinary management of AYA cancer patients commonly appears in Europe now, and was reported by 234 (78.52%) respondents. Specific professional training for AYA cancer care is not uniformly available. CONCLUSION There is considerable opportunity for many organisations to work together in raising the profile of AYA cancer related issues, in providing education and in encouraging research and collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bozovic Spasojevic
- Medical Oncology Department, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Johan De Munter
- University Hospital Ghent Cancer Center, Ghent, Belgium
- European Oncology Nursing Society
| | - Ashley Gamble
- Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Leicester, UK
| | | | | | | | - Marie Balsat
- Department of Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Leila Gofti-Laroche
- Department of Public Health-University of Grenoble Alps, AYA Unit-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Beate Timmermann
- University Medicine Essen, Clinic for Particle Therapy, West German Proton Therapy Center Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Josef Vormoor
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel P Stark
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Phan J, Laurence V, Marec-Berard P, Cordero C, Riberon C, Flahault C. The Place of Sick Peers in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Advantage, Disadvantage, and What Makes Barriers to the Encounter. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2023; 12:879-889. [PMID: 36999900 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The appreciation of peer support can vary from one country to another due to the cultural and relational differences. This study explores what perceptions French adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in post-treatment for cancer have of the place of sick peers during their treatment and what can make barriers to meet them. Methods: A semistructured interview has been proposed 6 months after the end of cancer treatments. A thematic analysis has been conducted to highlight the major themes and subthemes identified through the participants' discourses. Results: Twelve AYAs (mean age 23 y.o., standard deviation = 2.8; min = 19; max = 26) from two French cancer centers were interviewed. Five major themes were identified, but only two were presented in this article: the place of peers and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic on AYA facilities. AYA peers with cancer major theme demonstrated that meeting sick peers has benefits (e.g., identification, understanding, support, feeling of normalcy) but also has disadvantages (e.g., negative emotional influence). The benefits of peer-to-peer meetings seem to outweigh the disadvantages. Nevertheless, AYAs can face social barriers to this kind of relationship (e.g., fatigue, need to focus on oneself, confrontation to cancer and negative events, feeling of unnatural meeting). Finally, patients' encounters and the normal functioning of AYA facilities have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Even if AYA services systematically suggest a meeting with other sick peers, it is important to reiterate this proposal since the needs can evolve over time. It can also be interesting to propose places of life outside the hospital to make the encounters more comfortable and natural for AYAs. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03964116.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Phan
- Psychopathology and Health Processes Laboratory, Paris Cité University, Boulogne Billancourt, France
- Adolescents and Young Adults Unit, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Laurence
- Psychopathology and Health Processes Laboratory, Paris Cité University, Boulogne Billancourt, France
- Adolescents and Young Adults Unit, Medical Oncology and SIREDO (Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Cancer) Departments, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Perrine Marec-Berard
- Pediatrics and Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology Department, Institute of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology, Lyon, France
| | - Camille Cordero
- Adolescents and Young Adults Unit, Medical Oncology and SIREDO (Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Cancer) Departments, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Christèle Riberon
- Pediatrics and Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology Department, Institute of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology, Lyon, France
| | - Cécile Flahault
- Psychopathology and Health Processes Laboratory, Paris Cité University, Boulogne Billancourt, France
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, Gustave Roussy Hospital, Villejuif, France
- Functional Unit of Psychology and Liaison Psychiatry and Emergency, Adult and Elderly Psychiatry Service, George Pompidou European Hospital, Paris, France
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Patriccioli A, Signoroni S, Massimino M. I was only sixteen. TUMORI JOURNAL 2023:3008916231214220. [PMID: 38031728 DOI: 10.1177/03008916231214220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
This short piece describes a new project developed by the adolescent patients with cancer involved in the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy. This is a scheme dedicated to young cancer patients with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. "I was only sixteen" is a ballad, written in English by the patients, that became a song with the help of professional musicians (and among them international star Tony Hadley, former frontman of Spandau Ballet). This song sounds like hymn to life for teenagers with cancer in the world. It emphasizes again the value of giving young patients novel creative ways to express themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Patriccioli A, Signoroni S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. "As if by magic": Young cancer patients become magician's apprentices, finding magic in their lives again during their hospital treatments. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30268. [PMID: 36815613 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Silva M, Rizzo S, Patriccioli A, Sironi G, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Of soldiers and heroes. TUMORI JOURNAL 2023; 109:141-142. [PMID: 36314256 DOI: 10.1177/03008916221132590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Rizzo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Quarello P, Toss A, Mascarin M, Banna GL, Canesi M, Milano GM, Incorvaia L, Lambertini M, Terenziani M, Clerici CA, Vigevani GE, Beretta GD, Prete A, Cinieri S, Peccatori FA, Ferrari A. Get up, stand up: Alongside adolescents and young adults with cancer for their right to be forgotten. TUMORI JOURNAL 2022; 108:402-406. [PMID: 35674140 DOI: 10.1177/03008916221101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors may experience various forms of social difficulties years or even decades after completing their cancer treatments. This article will hopefully help the Italian national project dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer promoting political and legal solutions to stop discrimination and supporting the right to be forgotten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Quarello
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.,University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Angela Toss
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Moderna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mascarin
- AYA and Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Luigi Banna
- Interdisciplinary Group for Translational Research and Clinical Trials, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Canesi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM/ASST-Monza, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Lorena Incorvaia
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences Section of Medical Oncology University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Departament of Medical Oncology, U.O. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Arcangelo Prete
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics - IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Saverio Cinieri
- Medical Oncology Unit and Breast Unit, Ospedale Perrino ASL Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Facchetti G, Patriccioli A, Grampa P, Casanova M, Livellara V, Signoroni S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. "Based on a true story" podcast: a journey into the world of young patients with cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 108:512-516. [PMID: 34841974 DOI: 10.1177/03008916211062641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article describes a creative project undertaken by a group of adolescent and young adult patients with cancer as part of the Milan's Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young patients with cancer with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The project was based on audio recordings and focused on the theme of "the journey," such as a holiday or an adventure, or as a metaphor of the cancer experience. The podcast installments were published on the main streaming platforms. Talking about their disease and how they feel is of importance for young patients to process their feelings surrounding the cancer experience and to find the inner resources they need to facilitate coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfelice Facchetti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Grampa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Livellara
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Quarello P, Mascarin M, Luigi Banna G, Toss A, Sironi G, Zecca M, Cinieri S, Alessandro Peccatori F. Italian pediatric and adult oncology communities join forces for a national project dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 108:104-110. [PMID: 34841968 DOI: 10.1177/03008916211058790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents and young adults with cancer have substantially different clinical and psychological needs compared to those of pediatric patients and of older adult patients. We describe the development of an Italian national project dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Quarello
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mascarin
- AYA and Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Luigi Banna
- Interdisciplinary Group for Translational Research and Clinical Trials, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Angela Toss
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Zecca
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Saverio Cinieri
- Medical Oncology Unit and Breast Unit, Ospedale Perrino ASL Brindisi, Italy
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Ferrari A, Patriccioli A, Silva M, Bonvicini MD, Massimino M. My mind is still mine: a self-portrait in a photography project for adolescents and young adults with cancer. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:107. [PMID: 34261473 PMCID: PMC8279029 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00789-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary describes the unusual self-portrait contributed by a 26-year-old receiving treatment for relapsing medulloblastoma to a photography project undertaken by a group of patients as part of the Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young cancer patients with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The article briefly describes how creative projects can play an important part in giving young people with cancer new ways to tell their stories and express their feelings. There is still a limited understanding of the specific needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer, and it is important to draw attention to them and to the need to devise a person-centered approach to cancer patients in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Davide Bonvicini
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
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11
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Ferrari A, Patriccioli A, Silva M, Casanova M, Signoroni S, Massimino M. Looking out to see within: A photography project developed by adolescents with cancer during the COVID pandemic. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28948. [PMID: 33629445 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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12
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Silva M, Barretta F, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Casanova M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Bergamaschi L, Gattuso G, Sironi G, Adduci A, Grampa P, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Adolescents with cancer on privacy: Fact-finding survey on the need for confidentiality and space. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 107:452-457. [PMID: 33509050 DOI: 10.1177/0300891620988357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer diagnosis and related treatment can limit young patients' privacy. Their need for private physical and psychological spaces can be impeded by limited freedom, e.g., sharing hospital rooms with others and exposing their body to their parents and doctors. METHODS We conducted a survey among young patients of our center to investigate how their perception of privacy changed after being diagnosed with cancer and their need for hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy. A questionnaire with 16 items was developed by the staff involving psychologists and physicians. The relevance of changes before and after the cancer diagnosis was assessed by calculating two scores indicating the situation before and after diagnosis for each answer, as well as a delta score. RESULTS Between May and June 2020, the questionnaire was completed by 60 patients aged 16-24 years. The median delta scores describing the changes before and after diagnosis were -8 points for perception of privacy, indicating a significant decrement of the level of privacy perceived. A major issue was the constant presence of parents being perceived as intrusive. Concerning hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy, respondents requested dedicated spaces (50% of patients) and opportunities to have private interviews with medical personnel (88%). CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a snapshot of how young people with cancer perceive the impact of the disease and its treatment on their privacy with the restrictions imposed on their individual freedom. Patients' personal needs must be taken into consideration to adopt appropriate measures and better organize wards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Barretta
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Annarita Adduci
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Grampa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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13
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Ferrari A, Pagani Bagliacca E, Veneroni L, Silva M, Gasparini P, Signoroni S, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Casanova M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Experiencing Social Isolation (Even in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown): Teachings Through Arts from Adolescents with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 10:346-350. [PMID: 32809889 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The article describes how adolescents with cancer utilized an artistic approach to discuss about their social isolation caused by disease and treatment. With the help of professionals, 17 young patients closed in their isolation room described their ideal room (a bit real, a bit of a fantasy place) producing texts and images, subsequently put together into a book. In these days when people are forced to social isolation by the lockdown related to corovavirus disease 2019 pandemic, young patients teach us meaningful life lessons: how social confinement can become an opportunity to focus on yourself, and what is really important in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Gasparini
- Tumor Genomics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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14
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Casanova M, Pagani Bagliacca E, Silva M, Patriarca C, Veneroni L, Clerici CA, Spreafico F, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Bergamaschi L, Gattuso G, Sironi G, Massimino M, Ferrari A. How young patients with cancer perceive the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic in Milan, Italy: Is there room for other fears? Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28318. [PMID: 32240567 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in Italy, in particular in the Milan focal point, required drastic measures and led to panic in the population. While in our center we did not change our approach to the treatment of our young patients with cancer, we developed a qualitative survey to assess their perception of the risk and level of stress. The survey showed that a relatively large proportion of young patients felt personally at risk of severe complications. We believe that we need to adequately inform our patients, focusing on hygienic measures and personal protection and prompt reporting of any suspicious symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Patriarca
- Pathology Unit, St. Anna Hospital (ASST Lariana), Como, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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15
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Pagani Bagliacca E, Sironi G, Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Signoroni S, Casanova M, Cattaneo F, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Gattuso G, Bergamaschi L, Schiavello E, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Tumorial: Video Tutorials Produced by Young Patients on the Youth Project to Voice Their Experiences. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 9:436-440. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Cattaneo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- SSD Clinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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16
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Veneroni L, Bagliacca EP, Sironi G, Silva M, Casanova M, Bergamaschi L, Terenziani M, Trombatore J, Clerici CA, Prunas A, Silvaggi M, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Investigating sexuality in adolescents with cancer: patients talk of their experiences. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2020; 37:223-234. [PMID: 32022619 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2020.1712502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The aim of the present study is to understand which areas of sexuality were regarded as most important and/or problematic among adolescents with cancer.Methods. A questionnaire was administered to adolescent and young adult patients who had been receiving treatments at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of our Institution, for at least 2 months, and those in follow-up who had completed their treatments no more than two years previously. The questionnaire was devised to investigate patients' experiences in various areas, i.e. personal relations, sexual relations; functional aspects, body image, and communication.Results. Questionnaires were given to 70 patients and completed by 66. As main results, the survey showed that disease and treatment might negatively affect patients' way of relating with others (53% of cases) and their body image (56%), though their sexual desire remains unchanged (69.7%). Most patients (67%) reported not having the chance to talk to someone about having sex while receiving their treatments; 79% of patients felt this topic deserved more attention.Conclusion. This study promotes the discussion of an important topic for young people with cancer, which is inadequately addressed today. When establishing an age-specific model of care, aspects related to sexuality should be considered and managed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Jessica Trombatore
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,SSD Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Prunas
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Silvaggi
- Dipartimento di Urologia e Ginecologia, Istituto di Sessuologia Clinica, Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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17
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Evolving Services for Adolescents with Cancer in Italy: Access to Pediatric Oncology Centers and Dedicated Projects. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 9:196-201. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2019.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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18
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Ferrari A, Veneroni L, Signoroni S, Silva M, Gaggiotti P, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Proserpio T, Massimino M. Loop: there's no going back: A Graphic Novel by Adolescent Cancer Patients on the Youth Project in Milan. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2019; 40:505-511. [PMID: 31165370 DOI: 10.1007/s10912-019-09561-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present paper describes the story of the development of a graphic novel-a story about superheroes-written by adolescent cancer patients on the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan (Italy). Nineteen patients from fifteen to twenty-five years old (fifteen receiving treatment for their cancer, four who had recently completed their treatments) participated in a four month creative writing laboratory managed by a professional teacher. The output from the writing laboratory was a written text that was used as the script for a graphic novel drawn by professional cartoonists and working together with the patients. Through their story, adolescent patients succeeded in voicing their dreams and fears. It was the adolescent patients themselves who explained how they had each tried to bring out the superhero inside them. This project describes the amazing powers of adolescents with cancer and opens a precious window on their inner world, enabling us to gain a better understanding of what they are really thinking and feeling through their own words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Unit for Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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19
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Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer constitute a particular group of patients with unique features, whose needs during and after treatment are poorly met. A standardized model of care for them has yet to be established, as neither the pediatric nor the adult oncology systems seamlessly fit their needs. Regardless of the setting in which they are treated, their health care providers should be aware of the impact that the disease and its treatments have on these especially vulnerable patients. Simple ways of improving the AYA experience should be considered: reducing isolation through connections with peers, adapting the staff's approach to the emotional and developmental needs of this age group, and modifying the hospital environment making it more age appropriate. Commitment of national governments is valuable; building and sharing international experience will accelerate advances in clinical care, education, and research. Further progress in the care of AYA cancer patients is still needed to improve their outcomes.
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20
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Signoroni S, Veneroni L, Pagani Bagliacca E, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. "Summer is you": Adolescents and young adults with cancer sing about their desire for summer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27630. [PMID: 30677216 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Creative spirit and art are used as part of the Youth Project in Milan, a program dedicated to adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. The "Summer is you" music project involved 45 patients (15-26 years old): with professional help, the patients wrote music and lyrics, sang their song, and recorded a video clip, sharing with us not only their hopes and fears, but also their romantic encounters and their urge to travel (https://youtu.be/Q5FSCMUVg0E). This project exploited the power of music to bring young people with cancer together in a novel form of support that can complement the more conventional psychological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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21
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Ferrari A, Veneroni L, Romani A, Pagani Bagliacca E, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Signoroni S, Massimino M. Diary of a journey to a faraway galaxy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2019; 105:NP32-NP34. [PMID: 31023193 DOI: 10.1177/0300891619844326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article describes a brief account written by a girl treated with chemotherapy and surgery for an ovarian germ cell tumor. The brief novel was conceived in the context of the Youth Project of Milan, dedicated to helping adolescent and young adult cancer patients socialize and express themselves through group activities that focus on art and creativity. It describes the scenery of a new galaxy and is replete with images and metaphors that recall the experience of receiving anticancer treatment, touching on emotional themes including desire, isolation, fear, and hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Romani
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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22
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From a story of pain, a tale of love (for patients and science). TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 104:NP1. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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23
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Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Ciceri D, Rosati E, Massimino M, Ferrari A. From the seventh floor to seventh heaven. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:529-530. [DOI: 10.1177/0300891618805655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Ciceri
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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24
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Mascarin M, Ferrari A. The concept of friendship in adolescents with cancer: Reflections and experiences. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:5-11. [PMID: 30131014 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618792464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer can erupt in an adolescent's life, damaging his or her multidimensional balance with its burden of physical suffering, changes in appearance, and anxiety, interrupting their activities, keeping them away from school, and isolating them socially. It is crucially important for adolescents with cancer to be able to feel the same as before, to feel they belong to a group of schoolmates. This is not always easy to achieve. Their peers sometimes lack the necessary resources to treat adolescents with cancer as normal ones, responding instead with pity or avoidance. This article discusses the concept of friendship in adolescents with cancer, based on direct experience of being with them, personal reflections, and texts chosen and shared with the patients, as part of the cultural activities dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer at the Youth Area of the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, and the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Mascarin
- 1 AYA and Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- 2 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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25
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Gaggiotti P, Veneroni L, Signoroni S, Silva M, Chisari M, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Sironi G, Clerici CA, Proserpio T, Massimino M, Ferrari A. "What shall I do when I grow up?" Adolescents with cancer on the Youth Project in Milan play with their imagination and photography. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:193-198. [PMID: 30117377 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618792466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adolescents diagnosed with cancer have to temporarily stop pursuing several vital needs and making plans for the future. The Youth Project in Milan, Italy, focuses on such issues in young cancer patients' personal lives. Uncertainty about the future had already emerged in several artistic projects designed to help these patients voice their emotions. METHODS We describe a project revolving around the question "What shall I do when I grow up?" Twenty-seven 15- to 26-year-old patients wrote a brief account of what they hoped to do as adults. Using theatrical costumes, they then dressed up in their chosen role for a photo shoot with a well-known professional photographer. The results were published in one of Italy's main national dailies. RESULTS Participants reacted differently: some lightheartedly, others more seriously. They often expressed the wish to help others, desiring to return the support and protection they had received as patients. Another common theme concerned their need for normality. CONCLUSIONS By writing about their dreams, these patients gave their doctors a glimpse of their inner world. The project proved an important complement to more conventional forms of psychosocial support and interaction with young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Gaggiotti
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- 2 Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Chisari
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,3 Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- 4 Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Cooperation between in-hospital psychological support and pastoral care providers: obstacles and opportunities for a modern approach. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 104:243-251. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The meaning that patients with cancer attribute to life influences their expectations and their attitudes to the disease and its treatment. Over the centuries, religion has commonly been the answer encoded by the social setting when it came to matters of life and death. The present article analyzes the historical grounds for forms of cooperation between the scientific disciplines that focus on mental health and the approach of religion, centered on the Italian situation. Such cooperation was hard to imagine in the past, but the situation has changed considerably and cooperation is not only possible but extremely desirable. Acknowledgment of their spiritual needs helps patients to battle with their disease. The care of patients should include catering for their spiritual needs by ensuring the constant presence of a chaplain on hospital wards.
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Hughes N, Stark D. The management of adolescents and young adults with cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 67:45-53. [PMID: 29753962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer are young people developing serious illness when at the interface between the responsibilities of paediatric and adult cancer services. Personally, they are in a period of transition both biologically and in major social roles (Sawyer et al., 2018) [1]. For these and other reasons they present a unique set of clinical challenges in their management. Over the last 20 years the requirement for specific services to address their needs has been identified and this has become a growing field of research. Despite this survival rates still lag behind those of children and older adults with cancer (Gatta et al., 2009) [2]. Why do AYA patients have worse outcomes? The observation is that the reason is multifactorial with path to diagnosis, unique cancer biology, uncertainty of treatment protocol, compliance issues and poor recruitment to clinical trials all playing a part. In this review we will discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare professionals when managing AYA patients who are commonly and accurately described as being in an 'interface' position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Hughes
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
| | - Dan Stark
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, St James's Institute of Oncology, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
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Signoroni S, Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Clerici CA, Casanova M, Proserpio T, Silva M, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Comments on: The social phenomenon of "Christmas Balls," the song of the adolescent patients of the Youth Project. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:441-442. [PMID: 29714654 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618763210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Signoroni
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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29
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Gorman JR, Standridge D, Lyons KS, Elliot DL, Winters-Stone K, Julian AK, Weprin J, Storksdieck M, Hayes-Lattin B. Patient-centered communication between adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and their healthcare providers: Identifying research gaps with a scoping review. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2018; 101:185-194. [PMID: 28882546 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a scoping literature review to identify practices or programs that promote AYA patient-centered communication. METHODS Between January and May of 2016, we applied standard scoping review methodology to systematically review articles. We considered peer-reviewed, English language articles written at any phase of intervention research. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were eligible, and no additional search restrictions were applied. We retained articles that included explicit or implicit outcomes for one of the six functions of patient-centered communication in cancer care. At least two independent reviewers assessed the articles. RESULTS We screened a total of 4072 titles and abstracts, retaining 27 for full-text review. Ultimately, eight titles met the review's inclusion criteria. We categorized each publication by the action or setting used to improve patient-centered communication, resulting in five categories. Most studies were not included because they did not include a patient-centered communication outcome. CONCLUSION This area of research is still emerging, as indicated by the small number of eligible studies and predominance of qualitative, descriptive, pilot, and feasibility studies with small sample sizes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest a clear need to develop and evaluate interventions focused on improving patient-centered communication between AYA survivors and their healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Gorman
- School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA.
| | - Daniel Standridge
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Karen S Lyons
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.
| | - Diane L Elliot
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.
| | | | - Anne K Julian
- School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA.
| | - Jennifer Weprin
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.
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A reflection on the work of Gianni Bonadonna from the viewpoint of the global challenge of adolescents and young adults with cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 103:489-494. [PMID: 28967089 DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs - ages 15 to 39) constitute approximately 40% of the world's population and contribute an estimated one million new cases of cancer annually, the great majority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries (HICs) cancer is the commonest cause of disease-related death in AYAs, though overall 5-year survival rates now exceed 80%. A very different circumstance likely holds in LMICs, but accurate assessments are not readily available.Breast cancer accounts for 40% of tumours in female AYAs and this age group includes the peak incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma. The late Professor Gianni Bonadonna contributed importantly to improved survival in patients with these two diseases. Accordingly, he would be justifiably proud of the advances in AYA oncology that are being made in Italy, especially the impact of his colleagues at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (INT). The initiatives of the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Pediatrica and the Società Italiana Adolescenti con Malattie Onco-ematologiche are particularly noteworthy, with the accomplishment of productive collaboration between paediatric and adult cancer care providers serving as a model for other countries to emulate.Exporting these advances can be successful through the vehicle of "twinning": establishing sustainable cooperation between institutions in HICs and partners in LMICs. Colleagues in Monza and at INT have been leaders in such programmes for decades. Cancer in AYAs remains a global challenge to which Gianni Bonadonna surely would have risen with enthusiasm and leadership while securing measurable achievements.
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Ferrari A, Marino S, Gaggiotti P, Garavaglia V, Silva M, Veneroni L, Massimino M. Shout in fury but smile at life: A portrait of an adolescent with cancer on the Youth Project in Milan. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28453884 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Sefora Marino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | | | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Andrea Ferrari: Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Andrea Ferrari: Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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Ferrari A, Signoroni S, Silva M, Gaggiotti P, Veneroni L, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Viral!: The propagation of a Christmas Carol produced by adolescent cancer patients at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, Italy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28266763 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Winners' Cup: A National Football Tournament Brings Together Adolescent Patients with Cancer from all over Italy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 103:e25-e29. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Società Scientifiche Italiane Insieme per gli Adolescenti con Malattie Onco-ematologiche (SIAMO) is an Italian nationwide scheme that focuses on adolescent patients with cancer. Some of its activities include promoting dedicated local projects at the various oncology centers all over the country and organizing events to improve awareness regarding cancer in adolescence. It is with these aims in mind that it organized the Winners' Cup, a football tournament between Italian adolescents who had (or had had) pediatric cancers. There were 144 young people 15 to 24 years old who arrived from 16 different treatment centers around the country to take part in the tournament and share their stories. Such an event had never been attempted before, in Italy at least. The Winners' Cup was a great success and an opportunity to focus attention on the particular clinical, psychological, and social needs of cancer patients in this age group.
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Ferrari A, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Veneroni L, Magni C, Signoroni S, Casanova M, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Searching for Happiness. J Clin Oncol 2017; 35:2209-2212. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.72.8733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Magni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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“Christmas Balls”: A Christmas Carol by the Adolescent Cancer Patients of the Milan Youth Project. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 103:e9-e14. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Youth Project is a program developed at the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer. Among its various goals, the Youth Project organizes structured creative activities with the support of professionals, with the objective of offering young people a new way to express their hopes and fears. This article describes a project centered around music: patients created a Christmas carol with the help of musicians and authors. The adolescents explained with their own words the meaning of the lyrics, telling the story of a Christmas spent in a cancer hospital ward.
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Jones LJ, Pini SA, Morgan SJ, Birk GK, Stark DP. How Do Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer Experience Their Care? A European Survey. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2017; 6:102-110. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2016.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J.W. Jones
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A. Pini
- The Psychosocial Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sue J. Morgan
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Gurpreet K. Birk
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Dan P. Stark
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, United Kingdom
- The Psychosocial Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Veneroni L, Magni C, Clerici CA, Meazza C, Terenziani M, Spreafico F, Chiaravalli S, Casanova M, Luksch R, Catania S, Schiavello E, Biassoni V, Podda M, Bergamaschi L, Puma N, Indini A, Proserpio T, Massimino M. Measuring the efficacy of a project for adolescents and young adults with cancer: A study from the Milan Youth Project. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:2197-2204. [PMID: 27554940 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various projects dedicated specifically to adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have been developed in recent years. A critical aspect of such programs is the ability to demonstrate its value, and therefore how to measure desired outcomes. METHODS A list of metrics to consider for demonstrating the advantages of an AYA program was identified and used to assess the activity of the Youth Project operating at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan. RESULTS The number of newly diagnosed AYA patients seen at the Unit has increased since the formal launch of the Youth Project, from 65 to 81.2 cases/year. Concerning the 78 AYA patients presenting with malignant neoplasms in 2015, 82% were included in clinical trials (the other 18% in prospective observational studies). Fertility preservation measures were implemented for 59% of AYA patients considered at risk, and specific psychological support was provided in 70.6% of cases; 72.5% of patients actively participated in support activities. Other parameters considered were a preliminary satisfaction questionnaire administered to patients and the program's scientific recognition and acknowledgment by the community. CONCLUSIONS The study proposed a number of potentially reproducible, practical parameters to consider in assessing the value of a program dedicated to AYA. These metrics were examined in terms of the activities of our Youth Project, and confirmed its efficacy. To be sustainable over time, AYA projects have to be accepted as a standard of care at the community and government levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy.
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Chiara Magni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Clinical Biology, Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Serena Catania
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Alice Indini
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
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Magni C, Segrè C, Finzi C, Veneroni L, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Casanova M, Martinella V, Chiaravalli S, Ricci A, Biondi A, Ferrari A. Adolescents' Health Awareness and Understanding of Cancer and Tumor Prevention: When and Why an Adolescent Decides to Consult a Physician. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:1357-61. [PMID: 27106760 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A feature often seen in adolescent patients with cancer is a lengthy symptom interval, especially in comparison with children. It has been suggested that inadequate awareness of cancer risk among adolescents may play an important role in this study. METHODS The Società Italiana Adolescenti con Malattie Onco-ematologiche and the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi conducted a survey to investigate health awareness among healthy adolescents and their understanding of cancer and its signs and symptoms by commissioning a specialized agency (AstraRicerche). A questionnaire was administered to 500 Italian adolescents from the age group of 15 to 19 years using the computer-aided web interviewing method. RESULTS Approximately 80% of the adolescents interviewed claimed to be well informed about their own health, 85% said they were aware that some lifestyle habits could influence their health, and 80% reported that they know that cancer can develop in adolescence too. It was also noted that, while some adolescents were worried about a given symptom, 22% of them reportedly preferred a wait-and-see approach (either to avoid alarming their parents, or they hoped that the symptom would be temporary). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that a majority of adolescents are concerned about their own health, but sometimes prefer not to report their symptoms to anyone. Hence, it is important to develop information campaigns tailored to raise awareness among this age group and help them interpret their symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Magni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Ricci
- Federazione Italiana Associazioni Genitori Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department and "Tettamanti" Research Centre, Milano-Bicocca University, "Fondazione MBBM", San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Spiritual support for adolescent cancer patients: a survey of pediatric oncology centers in Italy and Spain. TUMORI JOURNAL 2016; 102:376-80. [PMID: 27151878 DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spirituality is a fundamental aspect of the psychological well-being of adolescents with cancer. This study reports on a survey conducted at pediatric oncology centers in Italy and Spain to examine the situation concerning the provision of spiritual support. METHODS An ad hoc questionnaire was distributed including multiple-choice questions on whether or not spiritual support was available; the spiritual counselor's role; how often the spiritual counselor visited the unit; and the type of training this person had received. RESULTS A spiritual support service was available at 24 of the 26 responding centers in Italy and 34/36 in Spain. The training received by the spiritual counselor was exclusively theological in most cases (with medical or psychological training in a few cases). In both countries the spiritual counselor was mainly involved in providing religious services and support at the terminal stage of the disease or in talking with patients and families. Cooperation with caregivers was reported by 27.3% and 46.7% of the Italian and Spanish centers, respectively, while the daily presence of the chaplain on the ward was reported by 18.2% and 26.7%. CONCLUSIONS The role of the spiritual counselor in pediatric oncology - in Italy and Spain at least - is still neither well-established nor based on standardized operating methods or training requirements. A model that implies the constant presence of a spiritual counselor in hospital wards may be proposed to provide appropriate spiritual support to adolescents with cancer.
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“There's no Reason why”: A Campaign to Raise Cancer Awareness among Adolescents. TUMORI JOURNAL 2016; 2016:270-5. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Adolescents with cancer often experience a longer diagnostic delay than children, mainly because they take longer to go to a doctor. The Italian Society for Adolescents with Oncohematological Diseases (SIAMO) has launched an information campaign focusing on raising adolescents’ awareness of the importance of diagnosing cancer early. Methods The concepts of the campaign were developed by a scientific committee of clinicians, cancer patients and their parents, and marketing experts. The title of the campaign is “There's no reason why”. A video has been launched on TV channels and the Internet, and the final frame refers viewers to the SIAMO website, which provides advice to help adolescents interpret any symptoms they experience. Results The video has had 12,181 views. In the 6 months following the launch of the campaign, the SIAMO website page dedicated to the campaign was opened by 9,767 viewers for a total of 13,632 views. Conclusions Though it remains very difficult to judge the efficacy of this initiative, the value of a campaign focusing on improving the adolescent population's cancer awareness is supported by the large number of studies published on the diagnostic delay in this age group. Our campaign goes to show the importance of ensuring cooperation between the different stakeholders involved in the global care of adolescents with cancer.
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Ferrari A, Lo Vullo S, Giardiello D, Veneroni L, Magni C, Clerici CA, Chiaravalli S, Casanova M, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Catania S, Schiavello E, Biassoni V, Podda M, Bergamaschi L, Puma N, Massimino M, Mariani L. The Sooner the Better? How Symptom Interval Correlates With Outcome in Children and Adolescents With Solid Tumors: Regression Tree Analysis of the Findings of a Prospective Study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:479-85. [PMID: 26797893 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential impact of diagnostic delays on patients' outcomes is a debated issue in pediatric oncology and discordant results have been published so far. We attempted to tackle this issue by analyzing a prospective series of 351 consecutive children and adolescents with solid malignancies using innovative statistical tools. METHODS To address the nonlinear complexity of the association between symptom interval and overall survival (OS), a regression tree algorithm was constructed with sequential binary splitting rules and used to identify homogeneous patient groups vis-à-vis functional relationship between diagnostic delay and OS. RESULTS Three different groups were identified: group A, with localized disease and good prognosis (5-year OS 85.4%); group B, with locally or regionally advanced, or metastatic disease and intermediate prognosis (5-year OS 72.9%), including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma, and germ cell tumor; and group C, with locally or regionally advanced, or metastatic disease and poor prognosis (5-year OS 45%), including brain tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, and bone sarcoma. The functional relationship between symptom interval and mortality risk differed between the three subgroups, there being no association in group A (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.96), a positive linear association in group B (HR: 1.48), and a negative linear association in group C (HR: 0.61). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis suggests that at least a subset of patients can benefit from an earlier diagnosis in terms of survival. For others, intrinsic aggressiveness may mask the potential effect of diagnostic delays. Based on these findings, early diagnosis should remain a goal for pediatric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Lo Vullo
- Unit of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Giardiello
- Unit of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Magni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Section of Psychology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of School of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Catania
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Mariani
- Unit of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Magni C, Veneroni L, Silva M, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Massimino M, Clerici CA, Ferrari A. Model of Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: The Youth Project in Milan. Front Pediatr 2016; 4:88. [PMID: 27606308 PMCID: PMC4995202 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2016.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer form a particular group of patients with unique characteristics, who inhabit a so-called "no man's land" between pediatric and adult services. In the last 10 years, the scientific oncology community has started to pay attention to these patients, implementing dedicated programs. A standardized model of care directed toward patients in this age range has yet to be developed and neither the pediatric nor the adult oncologic systems perfectly fit these patients' needs. The Youth Project of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, dedicated to AYA with pediatric-type solid tumors, can be seen as a model of care for AYA patients, with its heterogeneous multidisciplinary staff and close cooperation with adult medical oncologists and surgeons. Further progress in the care of AYA cancer patients is still needed to improve their outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Magni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
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