Germ Cell Tumours in Children and Young Adults

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Childhood Germ Cell Tumours (5 links) These tumours develop from germ cells. In the developing embryo germ cells migrate to the ovaries or testicles and form the ova (egg cells) or sperm cells. Germ cell tumours occur where these cells become cancerous. These tumours typically express high levels of alphafetoprotein (AFP). Germ cell tumours are most common in children and young adults, there are different sub-types including endodermal tumours (mostly found in children), dysgerminoma, teratoma, and seminoma (young men). The most common location of these tumours are the ovaries (in females) or testicles (in males). However, they can also develop in other parts of the body such as the sacrococcygeal region, brain, abdomen and other sites - this may occur when some of the germ cells in the embryo did not migrate properly. For information on germ cell tumours of the brain see the section on brain tumours. Note: germ cell tumours in children tend to be quite different to those in adults. See also Childhood Brain Tumours See also Testicular Cancer (mostly about adult cancers) (in InterNet Resources for Cancer) See also Ovarian Cancer (mostly about adult cancers) (in InterNet Resources for Cancer) Parent's information for Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumor (CancerNet) Information about the disease, staging, and treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by a panel of medical experts. General information for Germ Cell Tumours of the brain (St Jude's Children's Research Hospital) Paediatric - Germ cell Tumours (Royal Marsden Hospital, UK) An on-line booklet. Pediatric Oncology Resource Center: Ovarian Germ Cell Tumours (USA) This page contains information and links on various aspects of ovarian germ cell tumours. It is part of the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center, a site produced by parents of children with cancer, hosted by Association of Cancer Online Resources ********** Information for Health Professionals *********** Physician's PDQ statement for Childhood extracranial germ cell tumor (CancerNet) A referenced overview of the disease, cellular classification, staging, and current treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by experts at the NCI. Rescorla FJ. Pediatric germ cell tumors. [Review] Semin Surg Oncol. 1999; 16(2):144-58    Related articles (PubMed) Rescorla FJ, Breitfeld PP Pediatric germ cell tumors. [Review] Curr Probl Cancer 1999; 23(6):257-303    Related articles (PubMed) Medline Search: pediatric germ cell tumor (PubMed)   Limit search to: [Last Year]  Limit search to: [Last 2 Years]   Limit search to: [Reviews] Back to the Menu