Survival from adolescent cancer in Yorkshire, UK

The aim of this study was to investigate survival rates for adolescents with cancer and identify factors associated with differential long-term prognosis in Yorkshire, UK. A survival analysis of a population-based cohort of young adults aged 15-24 years, diagnosed with a malignancy in the former Yorkshire Regional Health Authority between 1985 and 1994 was carried out. The main outcome was death from all causes. Overall survival for the 1097 adolescents with a malignancy increased by 30% between 1985-1989 and 1990-1994 (P=0.004). This improvement was reflected in most subgroups of cancer. Large scale geographical differences in survival rates were observed across Yorkshire, with an increased risk of death in North Yorkshire and Humberside of 34% and 45%, respectively, compared with West Yorkshire. Small scale analyses showed reduced survival in areas of high population density, but no consistent trends were associated with socio-economic status. Improved survival from all cancers in young adults over the last decade is clearly seen. Reasons for differential survival by geographical area are unclear and warrant further investigation.