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Germ Cell Tumors (Solid Tumor) Treatment

Also called: extracranial germ cell tumor

Cells form the reproductive system as a fetus grows in the uterus. These cells can grow into germ cell tumors, also called gonadal germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). 

Germ cells are usually in the reproductive organs. But they can sometimes travel to other parts of the body and cause tumors. These tumors are called extragonadal germ cell tumors. 

Germ cell tumors are rare. They are more common in people with certain inherited disorders (passed down through families). They are also more common in males with a history of undescended testicles.

Germ cell tumors are most common in babies and teens. 

Find out more about germ cell tumors on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource. 

Germ cell tumor treatment

Surgeons try to remove all of the germ cell tumors. Chemotherapy (chemo) is used to kill any cancer cells that are left. Chemo also stops cancer cells from growing.


Germ cell tumors clinical trials

St. Jude offers clinical trials and cancer research studies for children, teens, and young adults with germ cell tumors. Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude. 

Recruiting
ONITT: Study of Onivyde with Talazoparib or Temozolomide in Children and Young Adults with Recurrent/Refractory Solid Tumors and Ewing Sarcoma

Study goal:

The main goal of this study is to test new experimental drugs in hopes of finding a treatment that may work against tumors that have come back or that have not responded to standard therapy in children, adolescents and young adults.

Age:

12 months to 30 years old

Recruiting
3CAR: B7-H3-specific CAR T-cell Therapy for Children and Young Adults with Solid Tumors

Study goal:

The main purpose of 3CAR is to find out if this type of immunotherapy is safe for pediatric patients with solid tumors. We also want to learn if it is effective in fighting solid tumors.

Age:

Up to 21 years old

Recruiting
AGCT1531: Carboplatin vs. Cisplatin for germ cell tumors

Study goal:

Watch patients with low-risk germ cell tumors, after tumor removal, treats their tumor as well as if they got the usual treatment of chemotherapy and/or more surgery if needed.

Age:

Standard Risk Group 1: less than 11 years old; Standard risk Group 2: ages 11–25

Recruiting
AGCT1532: BEP Chemotherapy for Germ Cell Tumors

Study goal:

The purpose of this study is to find out if accelerated chemotherapy will treat germ cell tumors as well as standard. We will also see if both treatments have similar side effects and are well tolerated.

Age:

Ages 11–45 years

Recruiting
CARETPX: Repotrectinib for Tumors with Gene Changes

Study goal:

To find out whether repotrectinib is safe to use in children and young adults and whether it might work against tumors.

Age:

Up to 25 years old


Germ cell tumor care at St. Jude

St. Jude provides the highest quality of care for patients with germ cell tumors:

  • The medical team works closely with lab researchers to bring new treatments from the lab to the clinic.
  • Ongoing research is focused on shortening how long patients receive chemo. The goal is to keep excellent survival rates but reduce the risk of long-term side effects.
  • St. Jude offers a dedicated team of specialists to meet the needs of children with cancer, including:

  • We are consistently ranked among the best childhood cancer centers in the nation by US News & World Report.
  • At St. Jude, we have created an environment where children can be children and families can be together.  
  • We lead more clinical trials for childhood cancer than any other hospital in the U.S.  
  • St. Jude is the only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center just for children. A Comprehensive Cancer Center meets rigorous standards for research that develops new and better approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. 
  • The nurse-to-patient ratio at St. Jude is about 1:3 in hematology and oncology and 1:1 in the Intensive Care Unit.
  • Patients may be able to get expert, compassionate care and treatment closer to their homes through the St. Jude Affiliate Program. 
A statue of children running and holding hands

Seeking treatment at St. Jude

Patients accepted to St. Jude must have a disease we treat and must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. We accept most patients based on their ability to enroll in an open clinical trial.

How to seek treatment

Contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office

Call: 1-888-226-4343 (toll-free) or 901-595-4055 (local)  | Fax: 901-595-4011 | Email: referralinfo@stjude.org | 24-hour pager: 1-800-349-4334

 

Learn more