Cancer in Adolescents

What are the types of cancer in teenagers?
There is no strict definition of what separates "childhood cancer" of cancers in adolescents, or when exactly a person with cancer is considered an adult. However, for statistical purposes, cancers in adolescents are often considered the beginning between the ages of 15 and 19.

Cancer is not common in teenagers, but a wide variety of cancers can occur in this age group, and treatment of these cancers can be challenging for a number of reasons.

The vast majority of cancers occur in older adults. The most common types of cancer in adults are skin, lung, colorectal, breast (in women), and prostate (in men). Many adult cancers are related to risk factors related to lifestyle (such as smoking, being overweight or obese, or lack of physical activity) or other environmental factors. A small part are strongly influenced by changes in the DNA (genetic mutations) of a person who inherit from their parents.

Cancers that begin in childhood (before age 15) are much less common. Cancers that develop in children are often different from the types that develop in adults. Childhood cancers are often the result of changes in the DNA of cells that develop very early in life, sometimes even before birth. Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors.

The types of cancer that occur in adolescents are a mixture of many types that can develop in children and adults.

The most common cancers in adolescents

The types of cancers seen in adolescents (ages 15-19) are not unique to this age group, but the most common types are different from those of small children or adults.

The most common cancers in adolescents are:

Lymphomas (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
Leukemia (acute lymphocytic leukemia majority [ALL] and acute myeloid leukemia [AML])
Thyroid cancer
Brain and spinal cord tumors
Testicular cancer
Bone tumors (osteosarcoma and Ewing)
Soft tissue tumors (sarcomas)
Melanoma
Ovarian cancer
Many other types of cancer can occur in adolescents as well - these are only the most common types.

Lymphomas

Lymphomas start in certain immune system cells called lymphocytes. These cancers most often affect the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, or thymus (a small organ in front of the heart). They can also affect the bone marrow and other organs. They cause different symptoms depending on the location of the cancer. The most common symptoms include weight loss, fever, sweating, fatigue and projections (swollen lymph nodes) under the skin in the neck, armpit or groin.

There are two main types of lymphoma:

Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease)
NHL
Both types can occur in adolescents.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in two age groups: adult (aged 15-40, usually people in their 20s) and late adulthood (after 55 years). This type of cancer is similar in all age groups, including what types of treatment work better.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is less common than Hodgkin disease in adolescents, but the risk of NHL increases as people age. There are many types of NHL. Some of the types most frequently observed in adolescents tend to grow rapidly and require intensive treatment, but also tend to respond better to treatment than older adults NHL.

For more information on these cancers, see our documents Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children.

Leukemias

Leukemias are cancers of the bone marrow and blood. They are the most common cancers in children, but can occur at any age, and in fact, most of leukemia occur in older adults.

Most teenagers are leukemias types (fast-growing) acute and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Leukemia can cause tiredness, weakness, pale skin, bruising or bleeding, fever, weight loss, bone and joint pain, and other symptoms.

The outlook for the most acute leukemia tends to be better the younger the patient.

For more information, see our documents Childhood Leukemia - Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and - acute myeloid (myelogenous).

Thyroid cancer

The risk of thyroid cancer tends to increase as people age, but is often at a younger age than most adult cancers age. It is much more common in young women than young men.

The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump in the front of the neck. Most thyroid tumors are not cancerous, but it is important to have them checked to be sure. Other symptoms of thyroid cancer may include pain or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing and voice changes.

The possibility of curing these cancers is usually very good.

For more information, see our document Thyroid Cancer.

Brain and spinal cord tumors

There are many types of brain tumors and spinal cord, and treatment and prospects of each is different. In children, most brain tumors begin in the lower parts of the brain such as the cerebellum (which coordinates movement) or brainstem (which connects the brain to the spinal cord). Adults are more likely to develop tumors in the upper parts of the brain. Tumors in adolescents may occur in any area. Spinal cord tumors are less common than brain tumors in all age groups.

Brain tumors can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, dizziness, seizures, trouble walking or handling objects, and other symptoms.

For more information, see our documents brain and spinal cord tumors in children and brain and spinal cord tumors in adults.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer occurs most often in young men. About half of testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 34, but can occur at any age, even in adolescence.

Very often, the first symptom of testicular cancer is a lump in the testicle or testicles inflamed or larger. Some testicular tumors can be painful, but most often they are not. It is important to lumps checked by a doctor as soon as possible so that the cause can be found.

Overall, the outlook for testicular cancers is very good, and most of these cancers can be cured.

For more information, see our document, Testicular Cancer.

Bone and soft tissue tumors (sarcomas)

Sarcomas are cancers that begin in the connective tissues such as muscle, bone or fat cells. There are 2 main types of sarcoma: bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas (starting in the muscles, fat, blood vessels or some other body tissues). Sarcomas can occur at any age, but some types occur more often in older children and adolescents.

Bone sarcomas: The 2 most common types of bone cancer, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are more common in adolescents. They often cause bone pain that worsens at night or with activity. They can also cause swelling in the area around the bone.

Osteosarcoma usually starts in areas where the bone is growing rapidly, as near the ends of long bones of the legs or arms. The most common Ewing sarcoma places to start are the bones of the pelvis, chest wall (such as the ribs or shoulder blades), or in the middle of the long bones of the leg.

For more information, see our documents osteosarcoma and Ewing family of tumors.

Soft tissue sarcomas: These cancers can start anywhere in the body, but often develop in the arms or legs. Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that begins in cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles, is more common in children under 10, but it also can develop in adolescents and adults. Most other types of soft tissue sarcomas become more common as people age. Symptoms depend on where the sarcoma starts, and may include packages (which may or may not cause pain), bloating or intestinal problems.

For more information, see our documents and rhabdomyosarcoma sarcoma - soft tissue cancer in adults.

Melanoma

Although melanoma is more likely to occur in older adults, it is a cancer that is also found in younger people, including adolescents. In fact, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people under 30 (especially younger women). Melanoma that runs in families may occur at an earlier age.

The most important signal warning for melanoma is a new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape or color. One point that is different from everyone else in the skin can also be a warning and should be checked by a doctor.

The ability to cure a melanoma is usually very good if discovered and treated early. But if left alone, it can grow and spread quickly, which can make it much more difficult to treat.

For more information, see our document, Skin Cancer - melanoma.

Ovarian cancer

General cancer, ovarian cancer is much more common in older women. However, some types of ovarian cancer, known as germ cell tumors are more common in adolescents and young women.

Early ovarian cancer usually causes no symptoms, but some adolescents and young women may feel full quickly when eating or having abnormal swelling, belly pain, or urinary symptoms. If these symptoms last longer than a few weeks, they should be checked by a doctor.