Germ cell tumours
Germ cell tumours are fast growing, ‘malignant’ tumours. They grow from cells that are involved in our growth when we are developing in the womb. Germ cells form part of the embryo and develop into the reproductive system.
On this page:
- What are germ cell tumours?
- Types of germ cell tumour
- Symptoms of germ cell tumours
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prognosis
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What are germ cell tumours?
Germ cell tumours are fast growing tumours.
They grow from cells that are involved in our growth when we are developing in the womb. Germ cells form part of the embryo and develop into the reproductive system.
Germ cell tumours can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Most germ cell tumours occur outside the brain. But, those that do grow in the brain are most often in the area close to the pituitary gland and the pineal gland at the base of the brain. These are called ‘intracranial germ cell tumours’. They are also called embryonal tumours.
Types of germ cell brain tumour
There are two main types of intracranial germ cell tumour: non-secreting germinomas and secreting germ cell tumours.
They can spread via the cerebro-spinal fluid around the brain and to the spine.
They represent around 1 – 2% of all brain tumours. About half of these occur in children and young adults (10 – 20 years old).
Symptoms of germ cell tumours
Germ cell tumours often block the flow of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord.
This causes headaches and sickness and, as a result, these tumours are often picked up early when they are still small.
Diagnosis
Germ cell tumours sometimes produce chemicals that can be picked up in blood tests (biomarkers). These can also help to diagnose these tumours quickly.
For exact diagnosis, the medical team might take a biopsy, which is a small sample of the tumour.
Treatment
Due to their location, germ cell tumours are usually treated with chemotherapy or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, rather than surgery.
Surgery might be used to treat hydrocephalus (excess water in the brain) caused by the tumour blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes surgery can be used to remove some of the tumour.
Prognosis
Chemotherapy works particularly well on germ cell tumours, even if they have spread.
Because of this, most people who are treated for these tumours are cured.
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