Special Considerations of Pelvic Radiation Therapy in the Adolescent and Young Adult Female Population

This review article describes specific considerations for pelvic radiation therapy in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer population, including fertility and premature ovarian insufficiency, sexual health, financial toxicity, and psychological impact. Awareness of these effects and available resources can help radiation oncologists to better communicate and counsel patients, set clear and realistic expectations, and proactively manage late side effects that can impair quality of life and long-term survivorship.

Upon completing this activity:

1. Physicians can improve communication skills when counseling AYA patients to help address specific and unique considerations that AYA cancer patients may face compared with other cancer populations.

2. Physicians can implement more routine and proactive referrals to subspecialists that can help AYA patients with the impact of acute and late side effects of pelvic radiation therapy.

Sudha R. Amarnath, MD

Affiliation: Gynecologic Cancer Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH

• Radiation oncologists

• Related oncology professionals

None.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and Anderson Publishing. IAME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. IAME designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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4. Complete the post-test and review the discussion and references.

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The author discloses no relationships with ineligible companies.

IAME has assessed conflicts of interest with its faculty, authors, editors, and any individuals who were in a position to control the content of this continuing medical education (CME activity. Any relevant financial relationships were mitigated with an independent peer review of this activity, and no conflicts or commercial bias were detected. IAME’s planners, content reviewers, and editorial staff disclose no relationships with ineligible entities.