- Germ cells are the cells in your body that produce eggs in women and sperm in men. Cancer of the germ cells is most common in children and young adults. When it spreads, this type of cancer most often spreads to the lung, liver and central nervous system.
- Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are noncancerous growths. Malignant germ cell tumors are growths made up of cancerous germ cells. Benign tumors are often treated with surgery only. Malignant tumors may need several different treatments. Almost all stages of germ cell cancer are treated the same plan of surgery and chemotherapy.
- Surgery is used to remove the tumors. Your surgeon will attempt to remove the tumor while leaving your reproductive organs as unaffected as possible. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the reproductive organs. Because this can affect your ability to have children, you should discuss the risk of infertility with your doctor before the surgery.
- Almost every patient with germ cell cancer will receive chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is usually given intravenously. The drugs you are given during chemotherapy will kill any cancerous germ cells that were not removed during surgery. Chemotherapy can also lessen your chances for a reoccurrence of the cancer.
- Radiation involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Due to advances in chemotherapy for germ cell cancer, the use of radiation has decreased. Radiation is more harmful to the organs surrounding the treatment site than chemotherapy.
- Because germ cell cancer often involves your reproductive organs, it can cause a change in your the levels of your sex hormones. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed if your have your ovaries or testacies removed.
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