Long-term surveillance recommendations for young adult cancer survivors

Background

Advancements in cancer treatment have led to increased survival rates among young adult cancer survivors (YACS). However, these individuals face unique long-term health risks, including secondary malignancies, cardiovascular disease, and psychosocial challenges. Effective long-term surveillance strategies are critical to mitigating these risks and improving health outcomes. This scoping review aims to summarize existing recommendations for long-term surveillance of YACS, identify gaps in current guidelines, and highlight areas for future research.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using Pubmed focusing on peer-reviewed literature published between January 2015 and January 2025 that addresses post-treatment (>5 years after diagnosis) follow-up strategies for YACS. The review synthesizes recommendations across various cancer types, treatment modalities, and long-term effects.

Results

The review identified 32 recommendations. Of all eligible articles initially retrieved, 169 different articles were included after screening and eligibility. Findings indicate a lack of standardized, age-specific surveillance guidelines, with most recommendations adapted from pediatric or adult oncology frameworks. Emerging evidence suggests that risk-based, personalized surveillance approaches—incorporating genetic predisposition, treatment history, and lifestyle factors—may optimize long-term health outcomes.

Discussion

This review underscores the need for age-appropriate, evidence-based surveillance guidelines tailored to YACS and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care models to support survivorship. Future research should focus on developing standardized, risk-stratified surveillance protocols and evaluating their impact on health outcomes.