Childhood and Adolescent Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors

Pediatric germ-cell tumors (GCTs) comprise a rare group of childhood malignancies with a favorable outcome. Therapies in GCTs have undergone a paradigm shift with use of intensive multiagent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and morbid surgery to tailored risk-adapted therapies to minimize treatment-related toxicity and improve outcomes. Collaborative efforts across the globe are directed toward harmonizing risk stratification and comparing treatment outcomes. This chapter attempts at covering important aspects regarding epidemiology, diagnostic work-up and therapies in childhood extracranial GCTs.