Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir

Cancer in teens is a big worry. About 5,000 to 6,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, says the American Cancer Society. Knowing the signs and facts about these cancers helps find them early and treat them well.Find out the most common cancer in teens, key warning signs, and symptoms every parent should know.

We know how vital awareness and care are for teens with cancer. The seven most common cancers in teens and adolescents are Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, brain and central nervous system tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma, and testicular cancer. At Liv Hospital, we aim to give top-notch healthcare and support to international patients.

Key Takeaways

• Cancer in adolescents is a significant concern, with around 5,000 to 6,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S. among those aged 15 to 19.
• The seven most common cancers in teens include Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and leukemia.
• Early detection and awareness are key to effective treatment and better outcomes.
• Liv Hospital offers caring and complete care for adolescents with cancer.
• Knowing the signs and symptoms of these cancers can lead to timely medical interventions.

Cancer in Adolescents: A Growing Concern

The number of cancers in adolescents and young adults is increasing. This trend needs our urgent attention and action. Looking at the statistics, it’s clear that cancer is a big health issue for teens all over the world.

Statistics and Prevalence

Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death for teens aged 15 to 19, the American Cancer Society reports. The good news is that about 87% of teens with cancer survive five years after diagnosis. But some cancers are becoming more common in teens. It’s vital to know the signs of cancer in teens and the symptoms of cancer in teenage females.

Recent data shows an increase in certain cancers among young people. This change highlights the need for awareness and quick medical help.

Why Early Detection is Critical

Finding cancer early greatly improves treatment success. For teens, knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer is key. Regular health checks and quick action to unusual symptoms can greatly improve outcomes.

It’s critical to educate and raise awareness about teenage cancer. This way, young people can get the medical care they need quickly.

Most Common Cancer in Teens: Current Trends

Looking at cancers in teens, we see that some types are more common. The reasons are complex, involving genes, environment, and lifestyle.

Rising Incidence Rates

The National Cancer Institute reports a 0.3% yearly increase in new cancer cases among teens and young adults from 2013 to 2022. This is worrying, as cancers like melanoma, cervical, breast, and colorectal are on the rise.

This increase highlights the need for better awareness and early detection. We must find out why these cancers are more common to prevent and treat them effectively.

Risk Factors for Adolescent Cancers

Several factors can lead to cancer in teens. These include:

• Genetic predisposition: Family history is a big factor in some cancers.
• Environmental exposures: Radiation, chemicals, and viruses can raise cancer risk.
• Lifestyle factors: While rare in teens, smoking and diet can affect cancer risk.
• Infections: Infections like HPV can increase the risk of certain cancers.

Knowing these risk factors helps us create better prevention plans. By spotting high-risk teens early, we can take steps to lower cancer rates.

As we keep an eye on teen cancer trends, staying up-to-date with research is key. This helps us support teens and young adults with cancer better.

Hodgkin Lymphoma in Teens

Hodgkin lymphoma is a common cancer in teens. It needs quick attention and understanding. We will look at its signs, diagnosis, treatment, and survival rates.

Signs and Symptoms

Hodgkin lymphoma often shows up with swollen lymph nodes, fever, and weight loss. These signs can be hard to spot early. Other symptoms include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin
• Fever, night sweats, or weight loss
• Fatigue or feeling extremely tired
• Loss of appetite

It’s important for teens and their families to watch for these signs. If they don’t go away, they should see a doctor.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

To diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma, doctors use physical exams, imaging tests, and biopsies. Research on PubMed Central shows early diagnosis is key. Treatment might be chemotherapy, radiation, or both, based on the disease’s stage and severity.

Survival Rates and Prognosis

Thanks to better treatments, teens with Hodgkin lymphoma have a good chance of survival. The survival rate is high if caught early. Survival depends on the cancer’s stage, symptoms, and the teen’s health.

Thyroid Cancer in Adolescents

Thyroid cancer is a big worry for teens, with more cases happening now than before. We’ll look at the signs, how it’s found, and how it’s treated in young people.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Thyroid cancer in teens shows certain symptoms that need attention. Look out for a neck lump, voice changes, trouble swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. Spotting it early is key.

Key Symptoms:

• A lump or swelling in the neck
• Changes in voice or hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes

Diagnostic Procedures

Figuring out thyroid cancer takes a few steps. First, a doctor checks the thyroid gland for oddities. Then, tests like ultrasound and CT scans help see the gland and how big the problem is.

Diagnostic Steps:

Treatment Approaches

Treatment for thyroid cancer in teens usually starts with surgery. Then, radioactive iodine therapy might be used to get rid of any cancer left behind. Sometimes, thyroid hormone therapy is added to keep the thyroid from making too much hormone.

• Surgery (thyroidectomy)
• Radioactive iodine therapy
• Thyroid hormone therapy

While thyroid cancer is more common in girls, boys can get it too. Knowing the risks and watching for symptoms can help catch it early and treat it well.

Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors

Brain and central nervous system tumors are a big worry for teenagers. They are hard to diagnose and treat. These tumors can really affect a teen’s health and life quality.

Common Symptoms and Warning Signs

Finding brain and central nervous system tumors in teens is tricky. This is because their symptoms are not always clear. Some common signs include:

• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Vision problems, such as double vision or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting, often in the morning
• Seizures, which can be a first sign in some cases
• Changes in personality or behavior
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

These symptoms can mean different things. So, it’s very important for parents and doctors to watch closely and do detailed checks when symptoms don’t go away or get worse.

Types of Brain Tumors in Teens

Brain tumors in teens can be either benign or malignant. The most common types are:

• Medulloblastoma: A malignant tumor that starts in the cerebellum.
• Glioma: Tumors from the brain’s glial tissue, ranging from low-grade to high-grade (glioblastoma).
• Craniopharyngioma: Benign tumors near the pituitary gland that can affect hormone production.
• Ependymoma: Tumors that develop from the ependymal cells lining the ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord.

Each tumor type has its own traits, treatment challenges, and outlook.

Treatment Challenges and Outcomes

Treating brain and central nervous system tumors in teens is complex. It needs a team of specialists. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, often together. The right treatment depends on the tumor type, location, and grade, and the patient’s health.

Results can vary a lot. Thanks to new medical tech and treatments, more people survive brain tumors. But, the journey through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery is tough for teens and their families. They need a lot of support.

It’s key to get specialized care for these complex cancers. This ensures teens get the best treatment possible.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Teenagers

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a big health issue for teenagers. It’s important to know its symptoms and treatment. This cancer affects the immune system and can show up in different ways. Finding it early is key.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Teenagers with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma might have swollen lymph nodes, fever, and tiredness. These signs can be like those of common infections. So, it’s vital for parents and doctors to watch out.

Common symptoms include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Fever that persists or recurs
• Weight loss without a known cause
• Fatigue or feeling extremely tired

Differences from Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are both cancers of the lymphatic system. But they are different. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma often starts in younger kids and can grow faster.

Treatment Protocols

Teenagers with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually get chemotherapy. Sometimes, they also have radiation or immunotherapy. The treatment plan depends on the lymphoma’s stage and type.

Getting a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is tough for teens and their families. But, with the right treatment and support, many teens can get better and live healthy lives.

Leukemia in Adolescents

Leukemia is a serious blood cancer that affects teenagers all over the world. It impacts the blood and bone marrow.

Types of Leukemia Affecting Teens

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common in kids and teens. Other types include Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in teens.

Key Warning Signs

It’s important to spot the signs early. Look out for:

• Fatigue or feeling weak
• Weight loss
• Frequent infections
• Bleeding or bruising easily
• Pale skin

Modern Treatment Approaches

Treatment has changed a lot. For ALL, it often starts with chemotherapy. Sometimes, a bone marrow transplant is needed. New treatments like targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also helping.

Melanoma and Skin Cancers in Teens

UV exposure is a big risk for teens, leading to more melanoma and skin cancer. This is a big worry that needs awareness and steps to prevent it.

Rising Incidence Among Adolescents

Studies show melanoma is going up in teens and young adults. It’s important to learn about risks and how to spot it early. UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is a big risk. So, teens need to protect themselves.

ABCDE Warning Signs

Spotting melanoma early is key. Knowing the ABCDE signs can save lives. These signs include:

• A: Asymmetry – One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
• B: Border – The edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.
• C: Color – The color is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, or even patches of red, white, or blue.
• D: Diameter – The mole is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• E: Evolving – The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

Prevention Strategies

Stopping skin cancer needs education and changing how we act. Teens can lower their risk by:

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF regularly.
• Wearing protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses.
• Seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours (10am-4pm).
• Avoiding tanning beds and artificial UV radiation.

By knowing the risks and taking steps, we can lower melanoma and skin cancers in teens.

Testicular Cancer in Male Adolescents

It’s important for male teens to know about testicular cancer. It’s a common cancer in young men. It happens when abnormal cells grow in the testicles. Finding it early is key to treating it well.

Self-Examination Importance

Doing a self-exam is a simple way to catch testicular cancer early. We suggest that male teens check their testicles every month. This helps them know what’s normal and spot any changes.

To do a self-exam:

• Hold the testicle in your palm.
• Roll it gently between your thumb and fingers.
• Look for any lumps, swelling, or changes.

Symptoms and Detection

Signs of testicular cancer include a lump, swelling, pain, or feeling of heaviness. If you notice these, see a doctor right away.

Doctors often find testicular cancer during self-exams or check-ups. If it’s thought to be cancer, tests like an ultrasound and blood tests will follow.

Treatment and Fertility Considerations

Treatment for testicular cancer depends on the cancer’s stage and type. It might include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Young men often worry about how treatment might affect their fertility.

Fertility Considerations: Before treatment starts, we talk about ways to save fertility. This might include sperm banking to keep fertility options open for the future.

Male teens with testicular cancer need to talk about their treatment with their doctor. This way, they can make informed choices and get the best care.

Gender-Specific Cancer Concerns in Teenagers

It’s important to know about cancer risks in teens. Some cancers are more common in girls. Knowing the symptoms and risks helps with early detection and treatment.

Symptoms of Cancer in Teenage Females

Girls may show different cancer symptoms than boys. Look out for unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss, and changes in menstruation. It’s key for parents, caregivers, and doctors to know these signs for early action.

Key symptoms to watch for:

• Unusual lumps or swelling, mainly in the breast or abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Changes in the menstrual cycle, like irregular periods or severe pain
• Prolonged or severe abdominal pain

Breast and Ovarian Cancer in Teen Girls

Even though rare, knowing about breast and ovarian cancer symptoms is important. Breast cancer in teens often shows as a lump. Ovarian cancer might cause abdominal pain or swelling.

Risk factors to consider:

• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Genetic predisposition (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations)
• Previous radiation exposure

When to Seek Medical Attention

If a teenage girl notices unusual symptoms or has a family history of cancer, see a doctor right away. Early detection is key to better treatment outcomes. Being vigilant is important for this age group.

Action steps:

1. Schedule a medical check-up if you notice any unusual symptoms or changes.
2. Discuss any family history of cancer with your healthcare provider.
3. Be aware of your body and report any changes or concerns to a trusted adult or healthcare professional.

Conclusion: Supporting Teens Through Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Cancer in teenagers is a big worry, with many types hitting this age group. At Liv Hospital, we know how vital it is to give teens the best care during cancer treatment. We aim to offer top-notch healthcare, focusing on the special needs of patients from around the world.

Helping teens with cancer means more than just treating the disease. It’s also about their emotional and mental health. A cancer diagnosis can really affect a teen’s school life, friends, and family. Our teams work hard with patients and their families to care for them fully, covering all their needs during treatment.

We mix advanced medical care with caring support to help teens with cancer. Our dream is to help these young people face their cancer journey with courage and hope. We want to give them the best shot at beating cancer and getting back to their normal lives.

FAQ

References

1. National Cancer Institute. (2025). Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya