A TEENAGER who battled ill health all his life, including cancer, has died after his condition suddenly deteriorated.

Brave Tom Molyneux had beaten cancer once and was fighting it a second time, plus a range of other serious conditions.

The 17-year-old’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse when he was at home in Hibernia Street, Deane, on July 7. He died two days later at The Christie in Manchester.

Doctors do not know exactly what caused his death. An inquest is due to be held.

Tom’s parents, Karen and Roy Molyneux, have paid tribute to the bravery of their youngest son. Mrs Molyneux, aged 54, said: “He had always been battling against something, but he never moaned, he was so brave.

“Tom just got on with it and always had a smile on his face, he was an inspiration.

“He always tried to have a laugh and was cheeky and mischievous.

“We knew he wasn’t going to get better but it was so sudden, it hasn’t sunk in yet and we are all devastated.”

Tom suffered from chronic bronchial asthma, scoliosis— curvature of the spine — and neurofibromatosis, which causes tumours on nerve tissue.

They are painful, can lead to learning and behavioural problems and can become cancerous He was diagnosed with monosomy 7, a pre-leukaemia condition, at the age of five, and was successfully treated when his eldest brother, Lee, now aged 29, donated his bone marrow.

At the age of 15, two rare schwannoma tumours developed on his spine.

Doctors were able to remove one and the other was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leaving Tom confined to a wheelchair.

The condition was kept at bay until four months ago when the tumour started to grow again. Doctors were trying to control it with chemotherapy, but Tom, who has three other brothers — Daniel, aged 24, Adam, aged 23 and Jack, aged 20 — was plagued by chest infections which hampered his treatment.

The former Ladybridge High School pupil managed to achieve 10 GCSEs with home schooling and was hoping to go to Bolton Sixth Form College in September. He enjoyed using social networking sites and playing computer games.

Mrs Molyneux said: “We are so proud of Tom, he was a very special lad. I can’t believe he is gone, I miss him so much. He wasn’t just my son, he was my best friend.”

Martin Witter, deputy headteacher at Ladybridge High, paid tribute to the teenager.

He said: “Tom was a fantastic young person, a true inspiration to all.

“His courage, determination and positive attitude to life is a lesson to all who knew him. He will be truly missed.”

His funeral will take place on Thursday, with a service at Deane Church at 10am, followed by interment at Heaton Cemetery at 11am. Family flowers only, with donations to The Christie.