Ratification Date: 24/07/2025

Next Review Date: 24/07/2027

What are the different types of cancer (child, teenager, young adult)

Contents

Teenage and young adult cancer

Cancer in teenagers and young adults is quite rare.

Certain cancers are more likely to affect teenagers and young adults. You can find out about some of these here:

  • Teenage and young adult cancers Young people‘s cancers can be different to cancers in children and adults.
  • Teenagers and young adults – Macmillan Cancer Support If you are a young person who is living with cancer, we have information and support especially for you. Talking to children and teenagers about cancer can be challenging. We have some tips to help you through the conversation:
  • Talking to children and teenagers Teenage Cancer Trust is a dedicated charity for young people who have cancer. You can find information on their site for: bone cancer, brain tumours, cervical cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, ovarian cancer, skin cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, testicular cancer, and thyroid cancer.
  • Young Lives vs Cancer – Young Lives vs Cancer is a leading provider of professional psychosocial support for children and young people with cancer 0–24 years.

 

Children’s cancer types

Getting a diagnosis of cancer for your child is devastating and it will be a very worrying time. You are not alone. There is lots of information and support available to help your child and you.

You can find out about children’s cancer types here:

 

Here is more detail on some types of children’s cancer:

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common type of cancer affecting children. And acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukaemia diagnosed in children. ALL is most common in young children aged 0 – 4. You can find information about it here:

 

Brain tumours in children

A brain tumour is a collection of cells that have grown in an uncontrolled way to form a tumour.

 

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that affects children, mostly under the age of 5 years old. It usually starts in the tummy (abdomen) area. You can find information here:

 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children

Lymphoma means cancer of the lymphatic system. You can find information here:

 

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer. It most commonly affects children under the age of 5. One or both eyes can be affected. You can find information about retinoblastoma here:

 

Children’s cancer – support

There are charities dedicated to providing support for children who have cancer and their families. These include:

 

Young Lives vs Cancer – Young Lives vs Cancer is a leading provider of professional psychosocial support for children and young people with cancer 0–24 years.

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