(KCNC/CNN) - A Colorado teenager is fighting a battle against a disease that normally strikes older women.
Her doctor believes the 16-year-old may be the youngest woman in the United States to develop the most common form ovarian cancer.
At 15, Peyton Linafelter was learning to drive and making a run at modeling.
She started feeling severe back and abdominal pain. The explanation?
“Cysts they're abnormally big but they're cysts," she said.
But Peyton got worse.
"My stomach started expanding to the point that I looked like I was five months pregnant," she said.
On her 16th birthday, Peyton learned she had stage 4 ovarian cancer. It was in her lungs and all through her abdomen.
"I was in disbelief I didn't think it was ... I was like that can't be right," she said.
Gynecologic oncologist Dr. Saketh Guntupalli calls Peyton a medical mystery.
"She may arguably be the youngest or certainly one of the youngest patients in the United States diagnosed with this disease," Guntupalli said.
At the University of Colorado Hospital, Peyton's had six rounds of chemotherapy and a seven-hour surgery to remove the tumors. She has more chemo ahead, but she stays positive.
"I'm strong enough to not be beat down by sorrow," she said.
Peyton was named after Peyton Manning, who actually gave her a call of support.
A Gofundme page is now up to help with her medical expenses. You can find it by clicking here.
Courtesy KCNC via CNN Newsource
