Epidemiological Profile of Cancer Among Adolescents and Young Adults (15–39 Years) at a Tertiary Cancer Center in Belagavi, India: A Single Center Hospital- Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) represents a distinct clinical and epidemiological entity. The cancer spectrum in AYAs differs from that observed in children and older adults in terms of biological behaviour, treatment response, and survivorship outcomes. However, comprehensive data on the burden and distribution of cancer among AYAs in India remain limited. To identify the epidemiological profile, determine the most prevalent cancer types, and assess the association between selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and cancer categories in AYAs at a tertiary cancer center.

Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 170 AYA patients aged 15–39 years who were diagnosed with cancer and registered at the Tertiary Cancer Center, Belagavi, between January 2025 and December 2025. Epidemiological, demographic, and clinical data were extracted from the patients’ medical records and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were computed, and associations between categorical variables were assessed using the chi-square or Fisher exact test.

Results: Out of all AYA cancer patients, nearly half of the patients (49.4%) belonged to the 35–39-year age group. Males constituted 54.7% of the cases (Male: Female = 1.21:1), with no significant association between age group and sex (p = 0.938). Head and neck cancers accounted for 44.7% of cases, followed by breast (17.6%), genitourinary (11.8%), and central nervous system (CNS) tumors (8.2%). Significant associations were noted between cancer category and sex (p = 0.001), addiction (p = 0.01), stage at diagnosis (p = 0.004), laterality (p = 0.001), treatment initiation (p = 0.04), physical activity (p = 0.041), and comorbidities (p = 0.007).

Conclusion: Head and neck cancers were the predominant malignancy among AYAs in this cohort, particularly in males. Behavioural and clinical factors showed stronger associations with cancer category than sociodemographic characteristics. These findings highlight the need for region-specific prevention strategies, early detection initiatives, and age-focused multidisciplinary care models to improve outcomes in AYA cancer patients.