Doctors are working to learn more about germ cell tumors, ways to prevent them, how to best treat them, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. [2] Always talk with your child’s doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for your child. 

Combination chemotherapy. Clinical trials are underway to investigate new combinations of chemotherapy to treat extracranial, extragonadal germ cell tumors. For example, one study is evaluating the use of cyclophosphamide with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin in children newly diagnosed with this type of tumor. 

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current germ cell tumor treatments in order to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life. 

Learn more about common statistical terms used in medical research [3]. 

Looking for More about Current Research?

If you would like additional information about the latest areas of research regarding germ cell tumors, explore these related items:

• To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your child’s doctor or search online clinical trial databases now [4].
• Read ASCO’s latest Clinical Cancer Advances report [5], which highlights top research findings over the past year.
• Visit ASCO’s CancerProgress.Net [6] website to learn more about the historical pace of research for childhood cancer.

Or, choose “Next” (below, right) to continue reading this detailed section.