Super-fit boxer, 37, who returned to UK 'with holiday bug' diagnosed with rare cancer

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

An amateur boxer who has fought within Manchester’s boxing scene is taking on the fight of his life after being diagnosed with a form of children's cancer rarely seen in adults.

Christopher Sparks, 37, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last year after feeling ill following a holiday to Turkey. But doctors believe his tumour may have first started growing ten years ago - despite leading a health and active lifestyle. READ MORE: Manchester Airport asks FIREFIGHTERS to load baggage belts amid staffing crisis Christopher has since undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to eradicate the disease, and is on track to beat it with further intensive treatment.

Neuroblastoma is rarely seen in children, let alone adults - affecting around 100 youngsters in the UK each year. Christopher said medics told him he is just one of two adults in the nation to be diagnosed with the condition at the moment. "I was heartbroken when after I had the scan they told me that they thought it had spread,” Christopher, who now lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said. "They hadn't picked it up on the scans because for neuroblastoma you have to use a different type of radiation. "I had a bone marrow biopsy, and a few other tests which were very tough - especially after thinking I was going to be alright. "Thankfully it hadn't spread a lot, so we started intensive chemotherapy.

I did six cycles of their strongest chemotherapy, doing one session every three weeks. "They're trying to eradicate it now, but it could be that it is just stabilised for a long time and I need treatment later".