Development of a Multidisciplinary Adolescent and Young Adult Program at a Large Academic Cancer Center

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer face distinct medical, psychosocial, and survivorship challenges not fully addressed by traditional pediatric or adult oncology services. This study describes the development, structure, and growth of a multidisciplinary AYA oncology program at a large academic cancer center and presents initial measures of patient satisfaction and program reach.

We conducted a retrospective descriptive evaluation of the AYA Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, a centralized outpatient clinic offering navigation, oncofertility counseling, medical and survivorship care, psychosocial and vocational support, genetic counseling, and nutrition services. Data sources included electronic health records for clinic volume and demographics, postvisit satisfaction surveys, and participation in structured AYA programming.

In 2024, the AYA program provided care to over 1,600 unique AYAs, with a 12% annual increase in clinic volume and 43% of visits conducted via telehealth. The mean patient age was 29 years, 61% were female, and the highest referring centers were pediatrics, breast oncology, lymphoma, sarcoma, and gynecologic oncology. Mental health counseling services were expanded, and the program delivered a range of structured peer support activities and connections. Patient satisfaction was high, with 98% rating their experience as good or excellent, and 100% indicating they would recommend the clinic to peers.

Implementation of an integrated, multidisciplinary care model within an academic cancer center has expanded access to specialized AYA services, streamlined care coordination, and addressed unmet needs across the cancer continuum. A centralized AYA oncology program can provide age-specific supportive cancer care and may serve as a scalable framework for institutions aiming to enhance care delivery and survivorship support.