Is germ cell cancer curable?

Germ cell tumours generally respond very well to chemotherapy. Most people are cured. Even cancers that have spread are still very treatable with chemotherapy.

Which tumors are considered germ cell tumors?

Germ cell tumors are growths of cells that form from reproductive cells. The tumors may be cancerous or not 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.

What causes germ cell tumors?

The cause of most germ cell tumors isn’t always known. Doctors do know that some medical conditions can make children more likely to develop them. These include: birth defects that involve the central nervous system, genitals, urinary tract, and spine.

Is Stage 4 germ cell tumor curable?

The cure rate for a stage IV tumor is 82%. Learn more about the stages of germ cell tumors. It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for children and teens with a germ cell tumor are an estimate.

What percentage of germ cell tumors are malignant?

Malignant germ cell tumors of the mediastinum are uncommon, representing only 3 to 10% of tumors originating in the mediastinum. They are much less common than germinal tumors arising in the testes, and account for only 1 to 5% of all germ cell neoplasms.

Is germ cell cancer terminal?

The survival and cure rates also depend on several factors, including the stage of the disease. The cure rate for children with a stage I or stage II germ cell tumor is 90%. The cure rate for a stage III tumor is 87%. The cure rate for a stage IV tumor is 82%.

Who gets germ cell tumors?

Ovarian germ cell tumors usually develop in young women under 20, but they can grow in older women, too. Most often, a tumor only grows in one ovary. Treatment for malignant tumors includes surgery or chemotherapy.

What is the treatment for germ cell tumor?

Most patients with a cancerous germ cell tumor will need chemotherapy. 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).

What are the two types of germ cell tumors?

There are two types of germ cell tumors that start in the gonads, or reproductive organs: seminomas, which are slower-growing, and nonseminomas, which are faster-growing tumors. These germ cell tumors typically form during puberty.

Is germ cell tumor benign or malignant?

Most germ cell tumors in the ovaries are benign (not cancer). Rarely, the tumors are malignant (cancerous). Ovarian germ cell tumors usually develop in young women under 20, but they can grow in older women, too. Most often, a tumor only grows in one ovary.

Do germ cell tumors grow fast?

Gonadal Germ Cell Tumors There are two types of germ cell tumors that start in the gonads, or reproductive organs: seminomas, which are slower-growing, and nonseminomas, which are faster-growing tumors.