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Germ Cell Tumors (Solid Tumor) Treatment
Also called: extracranial germ cell tumor
Cells form the reproductive system as a fetus grows in the uterus. These cells can grow into germ cell tumors, also called gonadal germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
Germ cells are usually in the reproductive organs. But they can sometimes travel to other parts of the body and cause tumors. These tumors are called extragonadal germ cell tumors.
Germ cell tumors are rare. They are more common in people with certain inherited disorders (passed down through families). They are also more common in males with a history of undescended testicles.
Germ cell tumors are most common in babies and teens.
Find out more about germ cell tumors on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource.
Germ cell tumor treatment
Surgeons try to remove all of the germ cell tumors. Chemotherapy (chemo) is used to kill any cancer cells that are left. Chemo also stops cancer cells from growing.
Germ cell tumors clinical trials
St. Jude offers clinical trials and cancer research studies for children, teens, and young adults with germ cell tumors. Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude.
Recruiting
Study goal:
The main goal of this study is to test new experimental drugs in hopes of finding a treatment that may work against tumors that have come back or that have not responded to standard therapy in children, adolescents and young adults.
Age:
12 months to 30 years old
Recruiting
Study goal:
The main purpose of 3CAR is to find out if this type of immunotherapy is safe for pediatric patients with solid tumors. We also want to learn if it is effective in fighting solid tumors.
Age:
Up to 21 years old
Recruiting
Study goal:
Watch patients with low-risk germ cell tumors, after tumor removal, treats their tumor as well as if they got the usual treatment of chemotherapy and/or more surgery if needed.
Age:
Standard Risk Group 1: less than 11 years old; Standard risk Group 2: ages 11–25
Recruiting
Study goal:
The purpose of this study is to find out if accelerated chemotherapy will treat germ cell tumors as well as standard. We will also see if both treatments have similar side effects and are well tolerated.
Age:
Ages 11–45 years
St. Jude provides the highest quality of care for patients with germ cell tumors:
- The medical team works closely with lab researchers to bring new treatments from the lab to the clinic.
- Ongoing research is focused on shortening how long patients receive chemo. The goal is to keep excellent survival rates but reduce the risk of long-term side effects.
St. Jude offers a dedicated team of specialists to meet the needs of children with cancer, including:
- Surgeons, doctors, and nurses who treat this cancer
- Doctors who specialize in radiation therapy and pathology (making a diagnosis by looking at tumor tissue under the microscope)
- Experts in diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine
- Genetic counselors
- Clinical dietitians
- Child life specialists
- Psychologists
- Researchers and scientists
- We are consistently ranked among the best childhood cancer centers in the nation by US News & World Report.
- At St. Jude, we have created an environment where children can be children and families can be together.
- We lead more clinical trials for childhood cancer than any other hospital in the U.S.
- St. Jude is the only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center just for children. A Comprehensive Cancer Center meets rigorous standards for research that develops new and better approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.
- The nurse-to-patient ratio at St. Jude is about 1:3 in hematology and oncology and 1:1 in the Intensive Care Unit.
- Patients may be able to get expert, compassionate care and treatment closer to their homes through the St. Jude Affiliate Program.
Seeking treatment at St. Jude
Patients accepted to St. Jude must have a disease we treat and must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. We accept most patients based on their ability to enroll in an open clinical trial.
Contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office
Call: 1-888-226-4343 (toll-free) or 901-595-4055 (local) | Fax: 901-595-4011 | Email: referralinfo@stjude.org | 24-hour pager: 1-800-349-4334