Your child has a tumour which started in the germ cells. Germ cells are those cells in the testis and ovary which normally develop into a baby in the womb. During development some of these cells become abnormal and later produce a tumour. This can occur at any age.
Common places are obviously the ovaries and testes but also abdomen, chest, lower spine or brain.
The tumour may be called by different names which describe where it started or what it looks like under the microscope. With the treatment we use at the Royal Marsden Hospital most children with a germ cell tumour are cured. The treatment takes about six months, the length depending on how quickly the tumour shrinks. Some of the time will be spent int he children's ward at the Royal Marsden Hospital, the rest at home.