Psychological impact of lymphoma on adolescents and young adults: not a matter of black or white

The purpose of the study is to examine differences in perceived impact of cancer (ioc) between adolescents and young adults (ayas; 18–35 years at cancer diagnosis), adults (36–64 years) and elderly (65–84 years) with a history of (non-)hodgkin lymphoma. furthermore, to investigate the association of socio-demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics with ioc; and the association between ioc and health-related quality of life (hrqol) among ayas only. this study is part of a population-based profiles registry survey among lymphoma patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2009. patients (n = 1.281) were invited to complete the iocv1 and eortc-qlq-c30 questionnaires. response rate was 67 % (n = 861). aya lymphoma survivors scored higher on the positive ioc summary scale, compared to adult and elderly patients (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed for negative ioc. among ayas, females, survivors with a partner, and survivors with elevated psychological distress levels scored significantly higher on the negative ioc summary scale. the negative ioc summary scale was negatively associated with all eortc qlq-c30 functioning scales (β ranging from −0.39 to −0.063; p < 0.05). the positive ioc summary scale was negatively associated with the eortc qlq-c30 subscale ‘emotional functioning’ (β = −0.24; p < 0.05). aya, adult and elderly with a history of (non-)hodgkin lymphoma experienced different types of ioc in terms of positive and negative aspects. although ayas experience a more positive ioc compared to older survivors, some ayas experience more negative ioc and require developmentally appropriate interventions to address their specific concerns.