Germ cell tumor | AMC interview questions | Army Doctor | CAPF | MNS Nursing | Interview Guide

Germ cell tumor | AMC interview questions | Army Doctor | CAPF | MNS Nursing | Interview Guide
Germ cells are the reproductive cells in an unborn baby. In boys, the cells make sperm and in girls, they make eggs
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What Are Germ Cells?
Germ cells are the reproductive cells in an unborn baby. In boys, the cells make sperm and in girls, they make eggs.


Before they settle into the reproductive organs, germ cells develop along the baby's "midline." This is the area where the stomach and other internal organs will lie.

What Are Germ Cell Tumors?
Germ cells that grow in an unusual way can become a tumor . Often, these tumors form in the ovaries or testes. Because the germ cells travel along the midline to reach the reproductive organs as a fetus grows, they can sometimes settle in other places.

The most common sites for germ cell tumors outside of the reproductive organs are:

in part of the chest between the breastplate and spine
the tailbone
abdomen (belly)
pelvis
Sometimes, a tumor can develop in the middle part of the brain.

What Are the Types of Germ Cell Tumors?
Like tumors that form in other places in the body, germ cell tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common types of germ cell tumors include:

Teratomas. These tumors are benign, but can become malignant. Teratomas are the most common type of germ cell tumor to develop in extragonadal (not in the ovary or testes) areas. Doctors usually treat teratomas with surgery because chemotherapy doesn't work in a benign tumor.

Germinomas. These malignant tumors are also called dysgerminomas when they're in the ovary, or seminomas when they're in the testes. They also can be in the middle part of the brain.

Yolk sac tumor (also called endodermal sinus tumor). These malignant tumors most often develop in the ovaries, testes, or tailbone.

Embryonal carcinoma. These malignant tumors usually form in the testicle of an adolescent boy, but can spread (metastasize ) to other places in the body.

Choriocarcinoma. This malignant tumor usually forms in the placenta during pregnancy and can affect both the mother and child.

What Causes Germ Cell Tumors?
The cause of most germ cell tumors isn't always known. Doctors do know that some medical conditions can make children more likely to develop them. These include:

birth defects that involve the central nervous system, genitals, urinary tract, and spine
genetic conditions that cause missing or extra sex chromosomes
Boys with undescended testicles (testes that stay up inside the pelvis) also seem to be at a higher risk for a germ cell tumor.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Germ Cell Tumors?
Early on, a child with a benign or malignant germ cell tumor might have few symptoms or none at all. As the tumor grows, a mass (lump) may be felt. It also might cause symptoms as it presses against organs in the body.

Depending on where the tumor is, it can cause symptoms like:

constipation or trouble holding pee if the tumor is in the pelvis
leg weakness if the tumor presses on the nerves at the bottom of the spine
a testicle of an unusual shape or size

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  Germ Cell Tumor - Childhood