Childhood Cancer Facts

"Germ Cell Tumors"

Incidence:

• Germ Cell Tumors make up about 3% of malignant disease in children and adolescents.

Survival Rate:

• Overall, 70%

Causes:

Description:

• Germ cell tumors are tumors arising from primitive germ cells, and can occur in the ovaries, gonads, pelvis and brain. The most common germ cell tumor is the teratoma, which in infants appears with large external masses. Patients with ovarian tumors (uncommon but aggressive, are seen in young women or adolescent girls) often have abdominal swelling, pain, nausea, vomiting or constipation. The incidence for testicular tumors has two peaks - one is in infancy and the other is postpubertal. The germ cell tumor occurring in the testicle causes a painless lump. Although germ cell tumors may arise in a wide variety of places, they usually occur close to the midline of the body.

Current Treatment Options:

• Treatment involves a complete removal of the tumor with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Neighboring lymph nodes are tested to look for any further spread of the tumor.