Teenage and young adult (TYA) cancers

In the UK, around 2,300 young people (aged 15 to 24 years) are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Young people’s cancers can be different to cancers in children and adults. So they need specialists who understand these cancers and the needs of this age group. In the UK, young people with cancer aged 13 to 18 years have treatment in specialist treatment centres. These are called TYA principal treatment centres.

Young people aged 19 to 24 years should also have access to age appropriate treatment areas and support. This might be in their local hospital or at a regional principal treatment centre.

Being in an age appropriate treatment area means you will be around other people of a similar age to you. You will have things to do that are appropriate for your age and peer group. The area you stay in might be decorated differently making it more friendly and welcoming. You will also have access to support that is tailored to young people.

The Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) charity funds specialist areas within hospitals for young people. They are in almost every major NHS cancer treatment hospital across the UK.

What are the most common types of cancer in teenagers and young adults?

There are at least 88 different subtypes of young people’s cancers. These can be put into 12 main groups. The picture below shows these groups and gives you an idea of how common they are.

The most common group is made up of melanoma skin cancer and carcinomas . 30 out of 100 young people with cancer (30%) have these types of cancer. Carcinomas cover several cancer types. Some of the most common include cancer of the cervix , thyroid and breast.

The next most common group is lymphomas . 20 out of 100 young people with cancer have a type of lymphoma.

Germ cell tumours are the third most common type. 16 out of every 100 young people with cancer (16%) have these types of cancer.

We have detailed information about some of these cancer types on our A to Z list.

The Teenage Cancer Trust has information about the most common cancers in teenagers and young adults.

What are the symptoms of cancer in young people?

Symptoms caused by cancer depend on where the cancer is growing. And the same type of cancer may cause different symptoms in different people. Cancer symptoms can be similar to many other conditions which are often more likely in this age group.

Having the symptoms below doesn’t mean you have cancer. But it's important to see your GP to get them checked out.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• pain that doesn’t go away
• feeling tired all the time for no reason
• an unexplained lump, firmness or swelling anywhere in the body
• headaches that don’t go away
• changes to an area of skin or mole
• unexplained weight loss

Other possible symptoms include:

• frequent or unexplained bruising or a rash of small red or purple spots that can't be explained
• unusual paleness
• sweating a lot at night
• frequent infections or flu-like symptoms
• being sick (vomiting) for no obvious reason
• unexplained high temperature (fever)
• feeling short of breath and a persistent cough
• changes in the appearance of the eye or unusual eye reflections in photos
• unexplained seizures (fits) or changes in your behaviour and mood

Seeing your GP

It can be hard for GPs to tell who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if your symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral.

It may help to write down:

• what your symptoms are
• when they happen
• if anything makes the symptoms better or worse

There might be a common theme which will help your GP. Tell your GP if you are worried about cancer.

Tell someone what’s going on

You might want to tell a person you trust about your symptoms, such as a parent or friend. Ask them if they’ll go with you to see your GP if you are worried. They can support you and help explain what has been going on.

Don’t be embarrassed

Be open about the symptoms you have and what you are worried about. There is no need to feel embarrassed. Your doctor is very used to dealing with all sorts of symptoms and will want to help find the cause.

It’s likely the doctor will want to examine you. So if you would prefer to see a male or female doctor, make sure you mention this to the receptionist when booking your appointment.

After you have seen the GP

Depending on your symptoms your doctor might refer you to see a specialist who can help make a diagnosis. The specialist might arrange for you to have tests such as blood tests, scans and biopsies. Or your GP might send you for some tests or scans to help investigate your symptoms.

Your doctor might not think you need tests or to see a specialist. They may give you medicine to help. Or another type of treatment, such as exercises to do. Ask when you should expect to see your symptoms get better.

If you are diagnosed with cancer

If you are diagnosed with cancer, your doctor will refer you to a specialist for your cancer type. This is usually at a teenage and young adult principal treatment centre. Some young people may have some or all of their cancer treatment in a hospital that has links to the principal treatment centre.

You will meet lots of people you are able to rely on for support. It maybe quite overwhelming adjusting to the changes in your life but always remember you have people you can contact.

Treatments for cancer

Your treatment depends on several things including the type of cancer you have and which parts of the body are affected. There are different types of treatment. Some of the treatments for cancer include:

• chemotherapy
• surgery
• radiotherapy
• immunotherapy
• targeted cancer drugs
• stem cell transplant

Your doctor might ask if you would like to take part in a clinical trial .

You may only need one treatment for your cancer type. Or you might need a combination of several treatments. Your healthcare team will talk to you in detail about the treatment you need and its side effects.

Understanding your treatment and the side effects can help you cope.

Research into teenage and young adult cancers

Some young people may have treatment as part of a clinical trial. Although overall survival is higher for teenagers and young adults with cancer today than in the past, there are still improvements to be made. Some cancers continue to have low survival. And many young people who do survive their cancer have long term side effects.

At Cancer Research UK we are supporting research into cancers affecting young people. We are doing this by tackling the challenges affecting young people joining clinical trials.

Researchers are looking at:

• understanding more about different cancers

• improving survival through developing new treatments or using a different combination of current treatments

• improving long term outcomes

• lessening treatment side effects and improving quality of life

We have a database of clinical trials where you can search for trials taking place in the UK. It’s best to first talk with your doctor or specialist nurse if you are interested in joining a clinical trial. They know your situation, so will know if there is anything suitable for you.

Teenage Cancer Trust and Cancer Research UK have created the first UK TYA online information resource about research. It has information on:

• what clinical trials are
• studying your complete set of genes – this is called genomics
• what biobanking is and why you might be asked to take part

Biobanking is storing samples from an operation or tests for research.

Coping with cancer as a young person

Being diagnosed with cancer comes as a shock no matter what your age. But particularly so when you are young. Most people feel a range of emotions including:

• anger

• anxiety

• fear

• sadness

• numbness

Things can feel uncertain and overwhelming at times. There is such a lot to take in.

As a young person, you may feel like life is just beginning as you start to become more independent. You might be at school, college, university or just started working. You might be a parent or carer. As a teenager, you might be going through puberty and just working out who you are and what you want to be. Or as a young adult, you might be moving away from home, going travelling, starting a new career or getting married. Then you’re suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and it can feel that everything is on hold.

There is no right or wrong way to cope with getting cancer. You have to do what is right for you. And with time, you gradually manage to cope with this new normal.

In TYA treatment centres the health professionals are very experienced so understand much of what you are going through. There are lots of people to talk to so don’t feel alone. Some of these people include:

• your specialist nurse

• youth support workers

• your doctor

• social workers

• other professionals you may be in contact with such as a physiotherapist or hospital teacher

Your healthcare team can also help you find support for your mental health, such as referring you to see a psychotherapist for counselling.

Talking to friends and other members of your family can also help you deal with your feelings.

There may be other questions or worries you have about cancer and its treatment and how it might affect you. This may include concerns about:

• education or work

• money issues

• treatment side effects, including whether treatment could affect your fertility

We have information about this in our Coping with cancer section and Children’s cancer section.

Organisations that can help

Cancer Research UK information and support

Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.

We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.

Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.

Teenage Cancer Trust

Teenage Cancer Trust is a national charity providing specialist units, expert staff, support events, education and information for 13 to 24 year olds diagnosed with cancer, and their friends and families.

Teenage Cancer Trust also work closely with healthcare professionals and researchers to lead the way on developing cancer care for teenagers and young adults.

Teenage Cancer Trust
The Place
175 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7AA

Phone: 020 7612 0370 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: hello@teenagecancertrust.org

Other organisations helping young people with cancer

Other cancer support organisations

Charities that provide holidays to support young people

Charities that help with financial issues