La psycho-oncologie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent : évolution des connaissances et des pratiques

Abstract

Despite advances in medical treatment and constantly increasing survival rates, childhood cancer is still a psychological and existential challenge for young patients and their parents. Professionals have to take into account two core ideas concerning children and adolescents suffering from cancer: 1) - cancer is a life-threatening illness inducing emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions; 2) the impact of the diagnosis of cancer in young patients depends on level of their psycho-affective development. The situation of these children and adolescents dealing with both the disease and its treatment should be managed in specialised units. Recent recommendations propose providing psychological and child psychiatric support and developing studies assessing the psychological impact on the young patients and their family.