Germ Cell Tumor - Childhood: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 04/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your child's doctor or other members of your health care team, to help you better understand your child’s diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your child’s health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your child’s care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your child’s next appointment. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

  • What type of tumor does my child have?

  • Where is the germ cell tumor located?

  • Is it cancerous? What does this mean?

  • What is the germ cell tumor's stage? What does this mean?

  • Can you explain my child’s pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

  • What are my child’s treatment options?

  • What types of research are being done for germ cell tumors in clinical trials? Do clinical trials offer additional treatment options for my child?

  • What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

  • What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the tumor, help my child feel better, or both?

  • What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?

  • Who will be part of my child’s health care team, and what does each member do?

  • Who will be leading my child’s overall treatment?

  • How will this treatment affect my child’s daily life? Will they be able to go to school and perform their usual activities?

  • Could this treatment affect my child’s ability to become pregnant or have children in the future? If so, should my family talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?

  • If I'm worried about managing the costs of medical care, who can help me?

  • If I have questions or problems, who should I call?

Questions to ask about having surgery

  • What type of surgery will my child have? Will lymph nodes be removed?

  • How long will the operation take?

  • How long will my child be in the hospital?

  • Can you describe what the recovery from surgery will be like?

  • What side effects can we expect right after surgery? How will they be managed?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects my child experiences? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term effects of having this surgery?

Questions to ask about having chemotherapy

  • What type of chemotherapy is recommended?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How long will it take to give this treatment?

  • Will my child receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will they take it at home?

  • What side effects can be expected during treatment?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects my child experiences? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

  • What can be done to prevent, relieve, or manage the side effects?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

  • What is the chance that the tumor will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

  • What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the treatment my child received?

  • What follow-up tests will my child need, and how often will those tests be needed?

  • How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my child's personal records?

  • When should my child return to their primary care doctor for regular medical care?

  • Who will be leading my child’s follow-up care?

  • What survivorship support services are available to my child? To my family?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.