Lung cancer in teenagers is very rare, with only a few hundred cases reported in the United States. This low occurrence makes it hard to find much research and resources on the topic. If you’re caring for a teen with lung cancer, you probably have many questions and worries. It’s important to find support and reliable information to help you through this challenging time.

Teen lung cancer presents unique challenges compared to adult lung cancer. In this article, we’ll address the basics of lung cancer in teens — including the causes, risk factors, types, symptoms, and treatment.

Can Teens Get Lung Cancer?

Although lung cancer is more commonly found in older adults, teens can develop this condition in rare cases. There are two main categories of cancer: primary and secondary. Primary lung cancer means that the cancer originated in the lung. Secondary lung cancer means that the cancer traveled from another organ to the lung via metastasis (spread of cancer).

Primary lung cancer is estimated to occur in 1 out of every 2 million children and adolescents. That makes up only 0.2 percent of pediatric cancer cases, so it’s much more rare than other forms of childhood cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma. According to a study published in Frontiers in Oncology, a search of a nationwide database reported only 301 cases of lung cancer in adolescents ages 10 to 19 years old between 2000 to 2019.

Which Teens Get Lung Cancer?

Among this small number of cases of primary lung cancer in teenagers, the average teenager diagnosed with lung cancer is 16 years old and white. Recent data showed that slightly more teenage girls than boys have been diagnosed. Eighty percent identified as white, and 14 percent identified as Black.

Because this form of cancer is so rare in teens, it isn’t something that should be screened for in teenage populations. Some young people have a higher risk of developing cancer because of their family history, a gene mutation, or a previous cancer diagnosis. Screening recommendations should be individual to a teen’s specific circumstances and coordinated with their pediatrician.

What Types of Lung Cancer Can Teenagers Get?

Of the few cases that have been documented, a study published in Frontiers in Oncology found that 33 percent of adolescent lung tumors arose from the lower lobe of the lung and 27 percent arose from the upper lobe. The most common types of cancers were carcinoid tumors, which are slow-growing and usually start in the digestive tract or lungs, making up 30 percent of the cases. Pulmonary blastoma, a rare and aggressive lung cancer, was the next most common, making up 22 percent.

Other types of lung cancer that are even more rare in teens include:

• Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
• Sarcoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Neuroendocrine tumor

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Teens

Many cancers in teens and young adults go unrecognized early on because the symptoms can be so similar to other, much more common conditions. Teens with lung cancer may experience some of the following symptoms (although many may have no symptoms in the early stages):

• Unexplained tiredness or loss of energy
• Unexplained fever or illness that doesn’t go away
• Loss of appetite or unplanned weight loss

Symptoms more specific to lung cancer include:

• Persistent cough with blood
• Ongoing chest pain that gets worse with breathing, coughing, or laughing
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness

There are many more common reasons why adolescents may experience these symptoms, such as viral or bacterial infections. Regardless, if your adolescent experiences these symptoms, speak to a health care provider to get a diagnosis and proper treatment.

Outcomes of Teen Lung Cancer

Because there have been so few cases of teen lung cancer, there’s no accurate estimate of how a teen with this condition will fare — there is a lot of variability from person to person. There are some data, but cases have been spread out over time and location, so they don’t hold much weight.

Data from the 301 cases of youth lung cancer from 2000-2019 show that:

• 89 percent were alive one year later
• 78 percent were alive five years later
• 76 percent were alive 10 years later
• 74 percent were still alive 15 years later

Compared to other forms of childhood and teenage cancer, these outcomes are positive. As cancer treatments become more targeted and effective, the hope is that these survival rates will improve. Many factors can affect a teenager’s outcome with lung cancer.

What Factors Improve Outcomes in Teens With Lung Cancer?

Characteristics that have improved outcomes for teens with lung cancer have included:

• Male sex —Teenage boys with lung cancer have had slightly longer average survival times (381 months vs 288 months).
• The type of tumor — Teens with endocrine and carcinoid tumors have had the best outcomes.
• Treatment — Early diagnosis is key, and surgery has been found to improve the 10-year survival rate significantly.

Lung Cancer Treatment in Teens

Eighty percent of teenagers with lung cancer have been treated with lung surgery. Lung cancer in teenagers is most often treated with a procedure called a lobectomy, which removes a section of the lung. There are many other treatment options, including:

• Laser or electric ablation (burning) of the tumor
• Resection of a wedge or segment of the lung
• Removal of lymph nodes in the chest as well as tumor removal

In addition to having surgery, 37 percent also received chemotherapy, and 9 percent received radiation therapy. Because there are so few cases of this rare young adult illness, treatment depends on the individual, their family, and their health care team’s goals.

Preventing Lung Cancer in Teens

Most often, lung cancer in adults is caused by exposure to chemicals in the lungs. The most commonly discussed risk for lung cancer is cigarette smoking — cigarettes are responsible for 80 percent of lung cancer deaths.

Teenage lung cancer isn’t caused by cigarette smoke because it takes years or even decades for lung damage to be done by cigarettes. However, there are preventive measures teenagers can take to lower their risk of developing lung cancer as adults.

Quit Vaping

Vaping, which is much more common than cigarettes among teens, is known to expose the lungs to chemicals that cause cancer. These volatile organic compounds, also called VOCs, include benzene and heavy metals. They are commonly found in vapor. Only time will tell how vaping may affect rates of lung cancer in the coming decades.

Avoid Smoking Marijuana

The long-term effects of smoking marijuana on lung health are currently unknown. According to Mayo Clinic, marijuana may increase the risk of lung cancer, but more studies are needed to see the long-term impacts.

You’re Not Alone

If your teen has lung cancer, finding support and reliable information is crucial to help you through this challenging time. By staying informed and connected with your health care team, you can better provide the best care possible for your child. Joining support groups and connecting with other families in similar situations can also offer valuable support and practical advice.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Do you have a teenager living with lung cancer? What help do you need to support them with this diagnosis? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.