What Is a Germ Cell Tumor?
Tumors are clinically characterized by abnormal growth of tissues of the body. Germ cell tumors clinically indicate abnormal growth of tissues that are formed by the growth of reproductive cells. There are two types of tumors. They are,
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Benign.
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Malignant.
Benign tumors are non-cancerous and malignant tumors are cancerous. Most of the reported cancerous germ cell tumors occur as cancer involving the testicles (testicular cancer) or cancer involving the ovaries (ovarian cancer). Some cases have been reported where the germ cell tumors present themselves in other areas of the body like the abdomen, chest, or brain. The exact cause behind this is not known yet. The tumors present in various other parts of the body apart from ovaries and testes are called extragonadal germ cell tumors, and they are very rare. Germ cell tumors have shown a good response to treatment, and many of the responses are even in the later stages of the disease.
How Are They Caused?
The known cause for the abnormal growth of these germ cells is changes or mutations in genes. Thus, it develops into a tumor. Although, the exact etiology is yet to be studied. Following are the factors that can put one at the risk of developing a germ cell tumor:
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An Undescended Testicle - This means that either one of the testicles has not reached the scrotum properly.
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Presence of Any Birth Defects - in the central nervous system, urinary tract, lower spine, or genitals.
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Presence of Genetic Conditions - For example, Klinefelter syndrome or Turner syndrome. In these conditions, the patient may have a missing or extra sex chromosome in the genetic combination.
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Family History - Any history of other family members affected by a germ cell tumor.
What Are The Types of Germ Cell Tumors?
Many types of germ cell tumors have been reported in the literature, but the below-mentioned five types are more commonly encountered than others:
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Teratomas - These are also known as dermoid cysts. They are not usually indicative of cancer, but the possibility of cancer cannot be ruled out. They are the most commonly found germ cell tumors in the ovary. The usual treatment preferred for this condition is surgery.
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Germinomas - These are also known as dysgerminomas when they are present in the ovaries and seminomas if present in the testes. The cancerous cell which is found in the brain is non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.
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Embryonal Carcinoma - This type of tumor has cancerous cells that mingle with another type of germ cell tumor.
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Choriocarcinoma - It is a rare type of cancer and involves the placenta. It is known to affect both the mother and the baby.
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Yolk Sac Tumors - They are also called endodermal sinus tumors, and mostly they are cancerous. They usually form in the ovaries and testes. It is a very aggressive type of tumor that can metastasize or invade the lymph nodes and various other parts of the body. It is often an aggressive cancer that spreads quickly to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. The commonly preferred treatment for them is surgery and chemotherapy.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
The signs and symptoms are usually dependent on the location and type of tumor, along with various other factors. The following are the most commonly encountered symptoms by the patient:
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Any abnormal mass present on the ovaries or testes.
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Presence of pain and swelling in the belly. The swelling can be due to a tumor.
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Issues with bathroom procedures like there can be difficulty while passing stools or holding the urine, etc.
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Development of the breast, pubic hair, bleeding from the vagina at an earlier age than usual.
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Pain in the chest.
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Presence of any lump in the stomach.
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Irregularly shaped testicles or testes with irregular size.
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Any weakness in the legs.
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Shortness of breath.
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Wheezing.
Who Is Impacted by Cancer of the Germ Cells?
Although germ cell tumors can affect anyone, they most frequently affect newborns, kids, teens, and young adults. Age-related changes in diagnoses occur. Diagnoses, for example, are more common between the ages of zero and four than in the years that follow. As adolescence draws near, diagnoses of germ cell tumors rise. Although they can affect persons in their 20s and 30s, ovarian germ cell tumors most commonly affect those between the ages of 10 and 14. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 35 and younger children are more likely to develop testicular germ cell tumors. Between 40 percent and 50 percent of germ cell tumor evaluations from birth until the age of four are extragonadal tumors.
What Are the Risk Factors?
The following factors increase the likelihood of testicular germ cell tumors:
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Having White Skin.
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Low-quality sperm.
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Cancer of the testicles.
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Testicular microlithiasis (a disorder where the testicles develop little calcium lumps).
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Orchitis (an inflammatory disorder that affects either or both of the testicles).
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A compromised immune system is brought on by the transplantation of organs.
How Can It Be Diagnosed?
Initially, the physician will ask questions about the signs and symptoms that one is facing, and after that certain physical examinations and the following examinations or tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis:
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Biopsy - The doctor will take a tissue sample to test under a microscope.
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Blood Tests - They are helpful in assessing the overall blood health status, and indirectly, they will also help to diagnose the underlying condition or examine various systems of the body.
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Genetic Test - This can be required if one has a positive family history of germ cell tumors.
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Imaging tests - Certain imaging tests like CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, X-ray, etc., can be done to know the location and extent of the tumor and also aid in the confirmatory diagnosis and treatment planning along with deciding the prognosis.
How Can They Be Treated?
The treatment depends on the type of tumor, its extent or spread, invasion, location, patient factors, etc. Patients may require a combination of various treatments, which will be decided by the doctor or specialist.
The following are the most commonly used treatment options:
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Surgery - This is done to remove the tumor completely or sometimes partially. Sometimes, it can also involve the removal of the reproductive organs like testes or ovaries, etc., to get a better prognosis and complete removal of tumor cells.
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Chemotherapy - In this, certain drugs or medications are used to treat the condition.
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Radiation - In this, various types or ranges of radiation beams are used to kill the cancerous cells.
What Is the Prognosis of Germ Cell Tumor?
For the majority of germ cell cancers, the prognosis is good. The condition is frequently cured when the tumor is removed. For example, after therapy, the survival rate for testicular cancer is 95 percent. The survival rate for ovarian germ cell tumors is 93 percent. Among kids suffering from germ cell cancers, the success rate varies between 82 percent and 90 percent.
Conclusion:
Germ cell tumors affect the reproductive organs. When treated, they show better responses and a better prognosis. One can consult the physician when they develop any of the symptoms or have a positive family history of the tumor. Now with the help of online medical platforms, it has become easier to connect with a physician or specialist at the ease of their home. So, one can contact a specialist online to learn more about this condition and the ways to manage it.
