Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Treatment | I D Cancer Center Lucknow
Expert Diagnosis & Advanced Pediatric Oncology Care at I D Cancer Center, Lucknow
Childhood germ cell tumors (GCTs) develop from germ cells—the cells that normally form the reproductive organs. These tumors may occur in the ovaries, testes, brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or along the spine. They can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and often respond very well to modern pediatric treatments.
What Are Childhood Germ Cell Tumors?
Germ cell tumors arise from primitive cells that normally move to form the ovaries or testes. When these cells grow abnormally, they form tumors either:
Gonadal (testes or ovaries)
Extragonadal (brain, mediastinum, pelvis, sacrum, abdomen)
Common types include:
Teratoma (mature/immature)
Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor)
Germinoma / Dysgerminoma
Embryonal carcinoma
Choriocarcinoma
Mixed germ cell tumors
These tumors can occur from infancy to adolescence.
Germ cell tumors arise from primitive cells that normally move to form the ovaries or testes. When these cells grow abnormally, they form tumors either:
Gonadal (testes or ovaries)
Extragonadal (brain, mediastinum, pelvis, sacrum, abdomen)
Common types include:
Teratoma (mature/immature)
Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor)
Germinoma / Dysgerminoma
Embryonal carcinoma
Choriocarcinoma
Mixed germ cell tumors
These tumors can occur from infancy to adolescence.
Common Symptoms of Childhood Germ Cell Tumors
Symptoms depend on the tumor’s location:
Symptoms depend on the tumor’s location:
General symptoms
Lump or swelling (testes, abdomen, pelvis, sacrum)
Pain or discomfort
Early puberty signs (rare hormonal tumors)
Fatigue or weight loss
Lump or swelling (testes, abdomen, pelvis, sacrum)
Pain or discomfort
Early puberty signs (rare hormonal tumors)
Fatigue or weight loss
Testicular tumors
Painless testicular lump
Scrotal swelling
Painless testicular lump
Scrotal swelling
Ovarian tumors
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Irregular periods
Mass felt in abdomen
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Irregular periods
Mass felt in abdomen
Mediastinal tumors
Chest pain
Cough or breathing difficulty
Chest pain
Cough or breathing difficulty
Brain germ cell tumors (Germinoma)
Headache, nausea, vomiting
Vision problems
Hormonal imbalance
Any persistent lump, abdominal swelling, or unusual symptoms should be evaluated promptly.
Headache, nausea, vomiting
Vision problems
Hormonal imbalance
Any persistent lump, abdominal swelling, or unusual symptoms should be evaluated promptly.
How Childhood Germ Cell Tumors Are Diagnosed
I D Cancer Center follows a structured diagnostic pathway:
I D Cancer Center follows a structured diagnostic pathway:
1. Blood Tests
Tumor markers are crucial for diagnosis and monitoring:
AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)
β-HCG (Beta human chorionic gonadotropin)
LDH levels
Tumor markers are crucial for diagnosis and monitoring:
AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)
β-HCG (Beta human chorionic gonadotropin)
LDH levels
2. Imaging
Depending on tumor site:
Ultrasound (abdomen/testes/pelvis)
MRI
CT scan
Chest X-ray
Depending on tumor site:
Ultrasound (abdomen/testes/pelvis)
MRI
CT scan
Chest X-ray
3. Biopsy / Surgery
Tissue sampling to confirm diagnosis
In many cases, surgery may remove the mass entirely
Tissue sampling to confirm diagnosis
In many cases, surgery may remove the mass entirely
4. Pathology & Molecular Tests
Determines tumor subtype
Guides treatment planning
Determines tumor subtype
Guides treatment planning
5. Additional Tests
Hormone tests
Eye and brain evaluations (for CNS germinoma)
Hormone tests
Eye and brain evaluations (for CNS germinoma)
Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center
Treatment depends on tumor type, stage, and location.
Treatment depends on tumor type, stage, and location.
1. Surgery
Often the first step, especially for:
Teratomas
Localized ovarian/testicular tumors
Goal: Complete and safe removal of the tumor.
Often the first step, especially for:
Teratomas
Localized ovarian/testicular tumors
Goal: Complete and safe removal of the tumor.
2. Chemotherapy
Very effective for malignant germ cell tumors like:
Yolk sac tumors
Embryonal carcinoma
Choriocarcinoma
Mixed GCTs
Standard pediatric regimens are used to ensure best outcomes.
Very effective for malignant germ cell tumors like:
Yolk sac tumors
Embryonal carcinoma
Choriocarcinoma
Mixed GCTs
Standard pediatric regimens are used to ensure best outcomes.
3. Radiation Therapy
Used selectively for:
CNS germinomas
Residual disease after chemotherapy
Certain extragonadal tumors
Precision techniques available at I D Cancer Center:
IMRT / VMAT
IGRT for daily accuracy
CSI (Craniospinal irradiation) for brain germ cell tumors
Organ-sparing pediatric radiotherapy
Used selectively for:
CNS germinomas
Residual disease after chemotherapy
Certain extragonadal tumors
Precision techniques available at I D Cancer Center:
IMRT / VMAT
IGRT for daily accuracy
CSI (Craniospinal irradiation) for brain germ cell tumors
Organ-sparing pediatric radiotherapy
4. Targeted Therapy (Selected Cases)
Emerging options based on tumor biology.
Emerging options based on tumor biology.
5. Supportive Care
Essential for safe pediatric oncology:
Infection prevention
Nutritional support
Blood transfusions
Hormone evaluation
Psychological counseling for child and family
Essential for safe pediatric oncology:
Infection prevention
Nutritional support
Blood transfusions
Hormone evaluation
Psychological counseling for child and family
6. Long-Term Follow-Up
Important for:
Tumor recurrence monitoring
Fertility guidance
Growth & development
School performance support
Important for:
Tumor recurrence monitoring
Fertility guidance
Growth & development
School performance support
Prognosis
Childhood germ cell tumors have excellent outcomes with modern treatment. Cure rates are high, especially when:
Tumors are detected early
AFP/β-HCG levels respond well
Surgery and chemotherapy are started promptly
With proper care, most children lead normal, healthy lives after treatment.
Childhood germ cell tumors have excellent outcomes with modern treatment. Cure rates are high, especially when:
Tumors are detected early
AFP/β-HCG levels respond well
Surgery and chemotherapy are started promptly
With proper care, most children lead normal, healthy lives after treatment.
