Unfortunately, Teenagers and Young Adults are affected by other forms of cancer too. Information about different types of cancers is available below. Please check it out and remember to use the back button when using the links to return to this website.
TESTICULAR CANCER
The two main types of testicular cancer are teratomas and seminomas; teratomas tend to affect younger men. The symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in the testicles. The tests that are used to diagnose it are ultrasound and blood tests. The cause is unknown. The main treatment is surgery but chemotherapy may also be given.
Click here for more information
CANCER OF THE BONE
There a number of different types of bone cancer but the ones that young people are most likely to develop are osteosarcoma and Ewings sarcoma. We dont know what causes them but do know that the bones that tend to be affected are the leg and arm bones and the pelvis. The most common symptoms are pain and/or swelling around the bone. The tests that are done to diagnose it are x-rays, scans and biopsies and the treatments that are given are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery; often a combination of these treatments is given.
Click here for more information
SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS
Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers of our supportive tissue which includes muscle, cartilage, fat cells and blood vessels. The areas of the body that they usually affect are the legs and arms, the chest, pelvis and the head and neck area. There are lots of different types but the ones that most commonly affect young people are rhabdomyosarcomas, synovial sarcomas & fibrosarcomas. The first symptom is usually a painless lump or swelling. The cause is unknown. The tests which diagnose it are biopsy, x-rays, scans and blood tests. The treatment is chemotherapy radiotherapy and surgery and depending on the type and what is involved a combination of treatments are often given.
Click here for more information
BRAIN TUMOURS
There are a few different types of brain tumours and the ones that are more common in young people are astrocytomas and ependymomas (these both start in the supportive tissue of the brain). The most common symptoms are headaches, feeling sick, drowsy and fits. The symptoms experienced depend on where tumour is in the brain. The cause is unknown. The tests that are done to diagnose it are CT & MRI scans & biopsies. Brain tumours are treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and steroids and depending on the type, and where it is, a combination of these treatments may be given.
Click here for more information
MALIGNANT MELANOMA (SKIN CANCER)
Melanoma is a quite a rare type of skin cancer, although its becoming more common in teenagers and young adults. It usually starts as a weird looking mole. Its called melanoma because it starts in skin cells called melanocytes that make a pigment (colouring) called melanin. Melanin is what gives your skin its colour the more melanin that these cells make, the darker your skin will be. A mole is a group of these cells that make lots of melanin. This looks like a dark patch on your skin.
Most melanomas develop on the skin on the legs, chest or back. In rare cases, people can get them in other parts of the body. Theres also a type that loses its pigment and can look white on your skin.
The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or sun beds. They can really harm your skin.
Most melanomas in young people are found very early when they are still very thin and in the surface layers of the skin. At this early stage the chance of cure is very high. Usually, just removing the melanoma with surgery will cure you.
Click here for more information
NON-HODGKINS LYMPHOMA
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of our immune system and is made up of a network of lymph vessels and glands as well as a number of organs. The most common symptoms are painless, swollen lymph glands. The glands that are most likely to be affected are those in the neck, throat, chest and abdomen. The cause is unknown. The tests that are done to diagnose NHL are biopsy, CT and MRI scans. There are a few different types of NHL and the biopsy provides information about the type. Treatment depends on the type you have but usually includes chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Click here for more information
HODGKIN'S DISEASE
Hodgkins disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of our immune system and is made up of a network of lymph vessels and glands as well as a number of organs. The most common symptoms are painless, swollen glands; the glands most likely to be affected are those in the neck, armpit, groin and chest. The cause is unknown. The tests that are done to diagnose Hodgkins disease are biopsy, CT and MRI scans. The treatment is chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Click here for more information
