Clinical Pearl of the Day: Germ Cell Tumors

Author(s):

Germ cell tumors that occur in places other than the testicles and ovaries are very rare.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors are growths of cells that form from reproductive cells.

Insight:

Germ cell tumors may or may not be cancerous. Most germ cell tumors occur in the testicles or the ovaries.
Some germ cell tumors occur in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, brain and chest, though it's not clear why.
Germ cell tumors that occur in places other than the testicles and ovaries (extragonadal germ cell tumors) are very rare.
Treatment options for germ cell tumors may include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy with drugs that kill cancer cells, and radiation therapy with powerful energy beams.
The drugs that are commonly used for treating germ cell tumors include bleomycin (available as a generic drug), cisplatin (available as a generic drug), etoposide (Etopophos), and ifosfamide (Ifex).
Support: Physical and emotional support is another treatment option that may be needed for these patients.

Sources:

Germ cell tumors - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic