Introduction - In France, cancer among adolescents is rare. However, it is the third leading cause of death. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and survival rates among French adolescents with cancer. Method - All cases of cancer (excluding basal cell skin carcinomas) recorded in 15- to 19-year-olds by the general cancer registries of nine departments (representing 10% of French territory) from January 1988 to December 1997 were included. Results - The incidence rate was 172.9 per million adolescents. No significant variation in incidence rates was detected between 1988 and 1997. Specific survival was 81% at two years, 74.5% at five years, and 73% at seven years. Five-year survival increased over time, rising from 70.3% during the 1988–1992 period to 78.4% during the 1993–1997 period (p = 0.02). Discussion - Our results are comparable to those observed in Europe and North America. Survival was lower than that observed in children for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s malignant lymphomas, and malignant bone and mesenchymal tumors. It would be necessary to determine the cause of these disparities (biological differences or differences in management practices). (R.A.)