What is childhood extracranial germ cell tumor?
Testicular germ cell tumors of early childhood
Testicular germ cell tumors of adolescence and young adulthood
Extragonadal, extracranial germ cell tumors of early childhood
Extragonadal, extracranial germ cell tumors of adolescence and young adulthood
Ovarian germ cell tumors

What is childhood extracranial germ cell tumor?

Germ cells are reproductive cells that develop into testicles in males and ovaries in females. Sometimes these cells travel to other areas of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, or brain, and may turn into a rare type of cancer called germ cell tumor. This summary covers germ cell tumors that occur extracranially (everywhere but in the brain).

Extracranial germ cell tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Most germ cell tumors are benign and are very rare in children younger than age 15. Germ cell tumors of early childhood have biological characteristics which are different than those that occur in adolescents and young adults. The location of the tumor and the age of the child make a difference in the prognosis (chance of recovery) and in how the tumor is treated. The major types of germ cell tumors by location and age are:

This type of germ cell tumor forms within the testis of young boys. The treatment for this type of germ cell tumor is covered later in this summary.

This type of germ cell tumor forms within the testes of older boys. Testicular germ cell tumors are classified as either seminoma or nonseminoma. This classification is important for planning treatment because seminomas are more sensitive to radiation therapy. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Testicular Cancer ¹ for more information.)

This includes any type of germ cell tumor that is not located in the reproductive organs (testicles or ovaries) or in the brain. These germ cell tumors are usually located in the sacrum (a triangular-shaped section of fused bone located between the hip bones at the base of the spine) and the coccyx (the fused bones located on the end of the sacrum; also called the tailbone). The treatment for this type of germ cell tumor is covered later in this summary.

This type of germ cell tumor is usually located within the chest. The treatment for this type of germ cell tumor is covered later in this summary.

Ovarian germ cell tumor, a rare type of cancer that affects teenage girls and young women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in egg-making cells in an ovary. An ovary is a small organ that holds the eggs that can develop into a baby. There are 2 ovaries: one located on the left side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows) and one located on the right. The treatment for this type of germ cell tumor is covered later in this summary (refer to the PDQ summary on Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors ² for more information).

Germ cell tumors form in developing cells and usually contain tissues that are foreign to the location of the tumor. Germ cell tumors can further be classified as teratomas or malignant germ cell tumors. Teratomas can be either mature (well differentiated tissue that forms a tumor that is less likely to become cancer) or immature (undifferentiated tissue that can spread and become cancer). Most teratomas are mature and develop into benign tumors.

Glossary Terms

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body.

A noncancerous growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

Pertaining to biology or to life and living things. In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products. Biologicals may be used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve of symptoms of a disease. For example, antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines are biologicals. Biological also refers to parents and children who are related by blood.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

The small bone at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of 3-5 fused bones. Also called tailbone.

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

A rare cancer that forms in germ cells in the testicle or ovary, or in germ cells that have traveled to areas of the body other than the brain (such as the chest, abdomen, or tailbone). Germ cells are reproductive cells that develop into sperm in males and eggs in females.

A reproductive cell of the body. Germ cells are egg cells in females and sperm cells in males.

A type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. Germ cell tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.

A rare type of malignant (cancer) germ cell tumor (type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs) that often contains several different types of tissue such as hair, muscle, and bone.

Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

A type of benign (noncancerous) germ cell tumor (type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs) that often contains several different types of tissue such as hair, muscle, and bone. Also called a dermoid cyst.

A group of testicular cancers that begin in the germ cells (cells that give rise to sperm). Nonseminomas are identified by the type of cell in which they begin and include embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, choriocarcinoma, and yolk sac carcinoma.

A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.

An abnormal mass of tissue that forms in germ (egg) cells in the ovary (female reproductive gland in which the eggs are formed). These tumors usually occur in teenage girls or young women, usually affect just one ovary, and can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). The most common ovarian germ cell tumor is called dysgerminoma.

One of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

PDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute. Designed to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public, PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, complementary and alternative medicine, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care. Most of this information, and more specific information about PDQ, can be found on the NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq. Also called Physician Data Query.

The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.

An egg or sperm cell. Each mature reproductive cell carries a single set of 23 chromosomes.

The organs involved in producing offspring. In women, this system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus (womb), the cervix, and the vagina (birth canal). In men, it includes the prostate, the testes, and the penis.

The large, triangle-shaped bone in the lower spine that forms part of the pelvis. It is made of 5 fused bones of the spine.

A type of cancer of the testicles. Seminomas may spread to the lung, bone, liver, or brain.

The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The spine encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal column, and vertebral column.

A type of germ cell tumor that may contain several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle, and bone. Teratomas occur most often in the ovaries in women, the testicles in men, and the tailbone in children. Not all teratomas are malignant.

One of two egg-shaped glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm and male hormones. Also called testis.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.

A term used to describe cells or tissues that do not have specialized ("mature") structures or functions. Undifferentiated cancer cells often grow and spread quickly.

The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called the womb.