About Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors develop from germ cells, primitive cells that normally mature into ova (eggs) in the ovaries of women and sperm in the testes of men. About 90 percent of all germ cell tumors develop within the ovaries and testes. The remaining 10 percent develop outside the ovaries and testes, especially in the chest, lower back and head. The vast majority of testicular cancer cases arise from germ cell tumors.

Treatment for Germ Cell Tumors

Treatment of germ cell tumors varies depending on the location and type of tumor, physician assessment and the wishes of the patient. Standard treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy or a combination of these methods. At the Bone Marrow Transplant Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, patients with recurrent or refractory (that is, resistant to treatment) germ cell tumors who meet specific criteria may be eligible for high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation.