What is (are) Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors ?
Key Points
                    - Extragonadal germ cell tumors form from developing sperm or egg cells that travel from the gonads to other parts of the body.    - Age and gender can affect the risk of extragonadal germ cell tumors.     - Signs and symptoms of extragonadal germ cell tumors include breathing problems and chest pain.     - Imaging and blood tests are used to detect (find) and diagnose extragonadal germ cell tumors.    - Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
                
                
                    Extragonadal germ cell tumors form from developing sperm or egg cells that travel from the gonads to other parts of the body.
                    " Extragonadal" means outside of the gonads (sex organs). When cells that are meant to form sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries travel to other parts of the body, they may grow into extragonadal germ cell tumors. These tumors may begin to grow anywhere in the body but usually begin in organs such as the pineal gland in the brain, in the mediastinum (area between the lungs), or in the retroperitoneum (the back wall of the abdomen).     Extragonadal germ cell tumors can be benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign extragonadal germ cell tumors are called benign teratomas. These are more common than malignant extragonadal germ cell tumors and often are very large.   Malignant extragonadal germ cell tumors are divided into two types, nonseminoma and seminoma. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas. They usually are large and cause signs and symptoms. If untreated, malignant extragonadal germ cell tumors may spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, liver, or other parts of the body.   For information about germ cell tumors in the ovaries and testicles, see the following PDQ summaries:         -  Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment     -  Testicular Cancer Treatment