In a fetus, germ cells are cells that should become sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries. Sometimes these cells don’t travel to the right part of the body and end up forming a tumor. These tumors can be either benign or malignant, meaning they can spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancer.
One way to classify germ cell tumors is based on where they form. Most malignant germ cell tumors are gonadal, meaning they’re in either the ovaries or testes. They can also form in the brain’s pineal gland, near the pituitary gland. Other places they form include the:
- Back
- Coccyx, or tailbone
- Mediastinum, the area between the lungs
- Neck
- Sacrum, a large bone in the lower spine that forms part of the pelvis
Germ cell tumors are also defined by how they look under a microscope and/or the hormones they produce.
Teratomas are usually benign, but some are malignant. Teratomas of the tail bone are the most common germ cell tumor found in children, and are about four times more common in girls than in boys.
Germinomas make the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone. Those that form in the ovaries are called dysgerminomas, while ones in the testes are seminomas. They can also appear outside the ovaries or testes. In these cases, they’re simply called germinomas.
Non-germinomas include:
- Yolk sac tumors, also known as endodermal sinus tumors. They can form in the ovaries, testes or other parts of the body. They are the most common type of testicular cancer in infants and children.
- Embryonal carcinoma. These are malignant and most commonly found in the testicles, but can spread to other parts of the body.
- Gonadoblastomas, which are rare, almost always benign tumors associated with abnormal development of the reproductive organs.
- Polyembryomas. They are a very rare, aggressive type of germ cell tumor that is usually found in the ovaries.
Childhood germ cell tumors risk factors
There are several factors that seem to increase the risk of a child developing a germ cell tumor.
Certain genetic conditions are tied to increased risk for specific types of germ cell tumors:
- Klinefelter syndrome may increase a person’s chances of developing a tumor in the mediastinum, the area between the lungs.
- Swyer syndrome may increase a person’s chance of developing a germ cell tumor in the ovaries or testicles.
- Turner syndrome may increase the risk of ovarian germ cell tumors.
In addition, having an undescended testicle increases the odds of a male developing a testicular germ cell tumor.
A family history of germ cell tumors also increases the chance that someone will develop a germ cell tumor.
In rare cases, childhood germ cell tumors can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Visit our genetic testing page to learn more.
Learn more about childhood germ cell tumors:
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MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital
Why choose MD Anderson for your germ cell tumor treatment?
At MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital, we know your child's health and well being are your number one concern. Our renowned experts customize your child's care for childhood germ cell tumors, utilizing the most advanced treatments and techniques with the least impact on your child's growing body. As part of one of the world's most active cancer centers, Children's Cancer Hospital has remarkable experience and skill in these types of cancer. This can make a difference in your child's outcome.
Customized care
A team of specially trained physicians follows your child throughout treatment, all the way to survivorship. They communicate closely with each other, and with you, to ensure comprehensive, personalized care. They are supported by full complement of health care professionals dedicated to your child's treatment, including nurses, physician assistants, therapists and others.
Children's Cancer Hospital offers clinical trials for innovative new treatments for soft tissue sarcoma. Behind the scenes we are working on groundbreaking basic science research to change the future of pediatric cancer.
Treating the whole child
Children's Cancer Hospital is designed just for children, with a full range of services and amenities that help make the child and family's experience as comfortable as possible. We go beyond medical care to deliver a comprehensive experience that treats the whole child.
And at Children's Cancer Hospital, your child benefits from the resources and expertise of one of the nation's top cancer centers.
What I learned from that time was resilience, faith and love. I realized how strong I was.
When Chase Jones was an 18-year-old baseball player at The University
of North Carolina, he was diagnosed with germinoma, a type of brain tumor. The rest of his team shaved their
heads in support.
Their gesture had a huge impact on
Chase and led him to start the Vs. Cancer Foundation. The organization
empowers sports teams, from little league to the pros, to raise
awareness and money in hopes of ending childhood cancer.
Since it started in 2013, Vs. Cancer has raised more than $1.5 million
for children's hospitals and cancer research. They've worked with The
University of North Carolina, Duke University, Texas A&M
University and the Seattle Mariners, among others.
"Every age, every sport, every form -- college, high school,
youth -- we've given them the platform to make a difference,"
Chase says. "As a cancer survivor, I couldn't be more excited
about that."
Finding hope during pineal region germinoma treatment
One day after baseball practice, Chase walked off the field
with a sharp headache. It was unlike any pain he'd known before. He
never thought it was a brain tumor symptom.
Chase was
diagnosed with stage four pineal region germinoma. This type of tumor
starts in the center of the brain and had metastasized to his
spine.
There were few treatment options for him close to
home. So, after a series of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation at a
North Carolina hospital, Chase came to the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center.
Despite being far from his friends and family, Chase felt at home
right away.
"The greatest feeling was walking in
knowing I would walk out cancer-free," he says.
Helping others beat the odds
Today, Chase is 26, cancer-free and helping athletes help kids
with cancer.
"Everybody has been affected by cancer,
and athletes have a platform within their communities. They can do so
much because of the position they're in," Chase says.
Through Vs. Cancer, teams are encouraged to host a creative
fundraising event. Examples include a head shaving event, 100-inning
game, relay race, kickball game, or just adding a yellow ribbon to the
jerseys. Then, teams make a donation.
"It's about
showing athletes that they can make a difference," Chase
says.
"I don't know why I survived cancer. I don't
know why I defied the odds. But because of that, I will be doing this
as long as there are kids battling cancer."
