Cancer cases among people under 50 are rising sharply in India, doctors warn, stressing early diagnosis, awareness of symptoms and timely treatment after rare, life-threatening cases in young adults were successfully managed.
Once considered a disease primarily affecting the elderly, cancer is increasingly encroaching upon the youth. Global health data reflects a sobering shift: a study recently published in JAMA Network Open indicates that cancer rates among adults under 50 have reached an all-time high.
This trend is mirrored in India where the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimates that one in nine Indians will develop cancer in their lifetime, with a sharp rise in “early-onset” cases attributed to lifestyle changes, environmental toxins and a “birth cohort effect” where each successive generation carries a higher risk.
Reflecting this growing challenge on Tuesday, doctors highlighted the rising incidence of cancer among youth while presenting two rare, life-threatening cases in young patients that were successfully treated following timely diagnosis and evidence-based care. Medical experts emphasised that early evaluation and advances in oncology can dramatically improve outcomes, even in advanced-stage cancers, allowing young patients to return to healthy and productive lives.
Rare cases successfully treated
One of the cases presented involved Rahul (20), who was admitted to Fortis Hospital (Greater Noida) with persistent neck swelling, fever and vomiting. Detailed investigations, including imaging and an excisional biopsy, confirmed Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Doctors said his chances of survival at the time of admission were less than 30%.
He was started on a structured chemotherapy regimen under specialist supervision. Follow-up PET-CT scans showed complete cure, indicating an excellent response to treatment. The patient continues to receive planned chemotherapy cycles and is currently stable. Without timely treatment, doctors said, survival would have been limited to less than a year.
Another case involved Sumit Kumar (24), who was admitted at the hospital with persistent fever and abdominal discomfort. Investigations revealed significantly elevated blood counts, and a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy confirmed Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a cancer of the bone marrow. At diagnosis, his survival probability was also assessed at below 30%.
He was promptly started on targeted oral therapy, following which his blood counts normalised without the need for intensive in-patient care. His condition gradually improved and he was discharged in a stable condition. Without timely treatment, doctors said his survival would have been limited to six months.
Doctors stress early evaluation, multidisciplinary care
Dr Prabhat Ranjan, Consultant – Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital Greater Noida, said there has been a noticeable upsurge in cancer cases among young people, particularly blood cancers.
“Blood cancers often present with vague symptoms such as fever, swelling or fatigue, which are easy to ignore. Fear of biopsy and chemotherapy often delays diagnosis, leading patients to advanced stages,” he said, adding that modern chemotherapy and targeted therapies have made many haematological cancers highly manageable when detected early.
Dr Ambesh Singh, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Fortis Hospital (Greater Noida) said cancer is no longer confined to older age groups and that young patients frequently present with advanced disease because early warning signs are misattributed to routine illnesses. “With advances in oncology, including minimally invasive surgery and integrated treatment approaches, outcomes have improved significantly when cancer is detected early,” he said.
Emphasising institutional commitment to cancer care, Siddharth Nigam, Facility Director at the hospital said the outcomes highlight the importance of advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary expertise and patient-centric treatment protocols in improving survival and quality of life.
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