What are the treatment options for germ cell tumors (childhood)?

Treatment for germ cell tumors depends on the character and progression of the tumor. If the tumor is not yet cancerous, surgery to remove the tumor is the usual first-line treatment, followed by chemotherapy if the tumor returns. Doctors will perform regular blood and imaging tests for 3 years after the procedure to monitor for recurrence. If the tumor is malignant (cancerous), treatment depends on whether the tumor is located in the reproductive organs or has spread to other parts of the body, as well as how far advanced the tumor is. Treatment for malignant tumors in the genitalia usually begin with surgical removal of the affect testicle (radical orchiectomy) or ovary (radical salpingo-oophorectomy), followed by chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer) if surgery was unable to remove all cancer cells. Treatments for tumors developed outside the reproductive organs (malignant extragonadal tumors) may include surgery to remove the tumor and/or chemotherapy.