Germ Cell Tumor - Childhood

In general, a tumor in a child is uncommon, so it can be hard for doctors to plan treatments unless they know what has been most effective in other children. That’s why more than 60% of children with cancer are treated as part of a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that compare standard treatments (the best proven treatments available) with newer treatments that may be more effective. Investigating new treatments involves careful monitoring using scientific methods, and all participants are followed closely to track their health and progress.

To take advantage of these newer treatments, all children with a germ cell tumor should be treated at a specialized cancer center. Doctors at these centers have extensive experience in treating children and have access to the latest research. A doctor who specializes in treating children with cancer is called a pediatric oncologist. In many cases, a team of doctors works with a child and the family to provide care; this is called a multidisciplinary team. Pediatric cancer centers often have extra support services for children and their families, such as child life specialists, nutritionists, social workers, and counselors. Special activities and programs to help your child and family cope may also be available. 

Descriptions of the most common treatment options for a germ cell tumor are listed below. Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of tumor, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health. Learn more about making treatment decisions.

Surgery 

The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor and some surrounding tissue (called a margin) in an effort to remove all tumor cells. The surgery may be performed by a surgical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating tumors using surgery. Learn more about surgery. Some patients with germ cell tumors can be treated with surgery alone, including patients with testicular germ cell tumors that are completely removed by surgery.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill tumor cells, usually by stopping the tumor cells’ ability to grow and divide. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream to reach tumor cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is given by a pediatric or medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive one drug at a time or combinations of different drugs at the same time. Most patients with a malignant germ cell tumor will need chemotherapy.

The drugs that are commonly used for treating germ cell tumors include cisplatin (Platinol), etoposide (VePesid, Toposar), and bleomycin (Blenoxane).

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

Learn more about chemotherapy and preparing for treatment. The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your child’s doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for your child, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions by using searchable drug databases. 

Palliative/supportive care

A tumor and its treatment often cause side effects. In addition to treatment to slow, stop, or eliminate the tumor, an important part of care is relieving a person’s symptoms and side effects. This approach is called palliative or supportive care, and it includes supporting the patient with his or her physical, emotional, and social needs.

Palliative care can help a person at any stage of illness. People often receive treatment for the tumor and treatment to ease side effects at the same time. In fact, patients who receive both often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report they are more satisfied with treatment.

Before treatment begins, talk with your child’s health care team about the possible side effects of your child’s specific treatment plan and supportive care options. And during and after treatment, be sure to tell the doctor or another health care team member if your child is experiencing a problem, so it is addressed as quickly as possible. Learn more about palliative care. 

Recurrent germ cell tumor

A remission is when a tumor cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called “no evidence of disease” or NED.

A remission can be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty leads many patients and families to feel worried or anxious that the tumor will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it’s important to talk with your child’s doctor about the possibility of the tumor returning. Understanding the risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the tumor does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence.

If the tumor does return after the original treatment, it is called a recurrent tumor. It may come back in the same place (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence).

When this occurs, a cycle of testing will begin again to learn as much as possible about the recurrence. After testing is done, your child’s doctor will talk with you about treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the therapies described above (such as chemotherapy) but may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. A recurrent tumor may be treated with paclitaxel (Taxol), ifosfamide (Cyfos, Ifex, Ifosfamidum), and carboplatin (Paraplat, Paraplatin, Becenum). Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation or radiation therapy may also be used. Your child’s doctor may also suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat this type of recurrent tumor.

When a tumor recurs, patients and their families often experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. Families are encouraged to talk with their health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help them cope. Learn more about dealing with recurrence.

If treatment fails

Although treatment is successful for the majority of children with a germ cell tumor, sometimes it is not. If a child’s tumor cannot be cured or controlled, this is called advanced or terminal cancer. This diagnosis is stressful, and it may be difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your child’s doctor and health care team to express your family’s feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team is there to help, and many team members have special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to think about where the child would be most comfortable: at home, in a home-like setting elsewhere, in the hospital, or in a hospice environment. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable alternative for many families. Some children may be happier if they can arrange to attend school part-time or keep up other activities and social connections. The child’s health care team can help parents or guardians decide on an appropriate level of activity. Making sure a child is physically comfortable and free from pain is extremely important as part of end-of-life care. Learn more about caring for a terminally ill child and advanced cancer care planning.

The death of a child is an enormous tragedy, and families may need support to help them cope with the loss. Pediatric cancer centers often have professional staff and support groups to help with the process of grieving. Learn more on grieving the loss of a child.

Find out more about common terms used during treatment.