Support for AYA Patients
Discover the care options available for adolescents and young adults.
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The AYA Cancer Program at Siteman Cancer Center
The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at Siteman is a partnership between Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Together WashU Medicine physicians specializing in pediatric and adult cancer care work towards curing cancers that occur in children, teens and young adults.
What is the AYA Program?
Our AYA Program is an innovative, hyper-collaborative approach to treating with multi-disciplinary teams that specialize in different age populations.
Cancer doesn’t follow rules; the AYA Program is our best response to that fact.
By bringing physician scientists, pediatric and adult oncologists, pathologists, psychologists, fertility specialists and other experts into a single team, our program bridges the developmental differences of teens growing into adulthood and navigates the training differences between pediatrics and adult cancer care.
Age and diagnosis are the two primary ways a patient will become a part of the AYA Program at Siteman Kids. Those patients within our program primarily are children in their teens, starting at age 15 and continuing into young adulthood.
The age range can vary, depending on the cancer diagnosis. It is important to understand some adults develop childhood cancer. While rare, they may be seen by physicians within the AYA Program.
Adolescents and young adults are developing rapidly physically, emotionally, and socially, and a cancer diagnosis can disrupt this. The AYA Program at Siteman bridges not only the medical gaps in oncology but also helps our young patients transition through very personal milestones like high school graduation, college, and, if they choose, family planning.
Every individual is different, so our approach to treatment and support is unique.
The AYA Program at Siteman sets out to widen access to innovative approaches and treatment from experts in both pediatric and adult oncology. Patients’ physicians collaborate to discuss cases and treatment options. This provides the opportunity to propose new ideas and interventions with the goal of optimizing care.
We approach every AYA patient asking, “what is the best fit?” Depending on the patient’s needs and diagnosis, they may be seen at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital or at Siteman Cancer Center.
Clinical trials are a key aspect of the AYA Program at Siteman. Because WashU Medicine physicians at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids work together, this allows a larger age range and broader access to a diverse variety of institutional, consortium-based and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
New clinical trials often allow participants as young as age 12, allowing AYA patients to participate in new discoveries before they become part of the standard of care.
Why Do Young Adults and Their Parents Choose Siteman?
Young adults diagnosed with cancer and their parents feel confident they will receive the best care as a part of the AYA Program at Siteman. Every patient has a multi-disciplinary team of experts that can transition care as they cross from childhood into adulthood.
Benefits to Patients:
- Clinical trials based at Siteman Kids or Siteman Cancer Center
- Weekly tumor boards where their case is discussed for treatment
- Cancer Predisposition Program to identify specific genetic risks
- Support services that address the emotional and social needs appropriate for their age
- Future fertility care plans created by WashU Medicine fertility specialists
- Care that transitions treatment from Siteman Kids to Siteman Cancer Center
Second Opinions
Parents often first hear their child has cancer during an emergency room visit. Getting care soon is important, and there are always options for what is best for your child. Siteman Kids welcomes second opinions and offers unique treatment plans for each patient.
Start Here. Get the Care Your Child Needs.
Our oncology-trained care coordinators – nurses who help with scheduling and navigation – can help you through the process. Call us directly or submit a form, and we will call you back.