Overview
Germ cell tumor of the testis is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that normally develop into sperm. These tumors most commonly affect young men between the ages of 15 and 35, though they can occur at any age. The disease typically presents as a painless lump or swelling in one testicle, though some men may also experience a dull ache or heaviness in the lower belly or scrotum. There are two main types of testicular germ cell tumors: seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas tend to grow more slowly and are very sensitive to radiation therapy. Non-seminomas include several subtypes such as embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma, and they tend to grow and spread more quickly. Some tumors contain a mix of both types. The good news is that testicular germ cell tumors are among the most curable cancers, even when they have spread to other parts of the body. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the affected testicle (called orchiectomy), and depending on the stage and type, may also include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surveillance (close monitoring). Cure rates are very high, often exceeding 95% for early-stage disease. Certain blood markers called tumor markers (AFP, beta-hCG, and LDH) help doctors diagnose and monitor the disease. Risk factors include undescended testicle (cryptorchidism), family history of testicular cancer, and certain genetic conditions.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painless lump or swelling in one testicleFeeling of heaviness in the scrotumDull ache in the lower belly or groinSudden buildup of fluid in the scrotumBreast tenderness or growth (gynecomastia)Back pain if cancer has spread to lymph nodesShortness of breath if cancer has spread to the lungsOne testicle feeling firmer or larger than the otherFatigueUnexplained weight lossSwollen lymph nodes in the neck or groin
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsKaiser Permanente — NA
Sahlgrenska University Hospital — NA
City of Hope Medical Center — PHASE1
University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand — NA
Wake Forest University Health Sciences — PHASE2
Western University, Canada — PHASE2
Centre Leon Berard — NA
Xencor, Inc. — PHASE1
Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Germ cell tumor of testis.
15 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Germ cell tumor of testis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Germ cell tumor of testis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Germ cell tumor of testis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: R-RPLND as First-line Treatment for Clinical Stage IIA/B Testicular Seminoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: A Clinical Trial of Primary Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in Patients With Testicular Seminoma With Limited Retroperitoneal Metastases
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: THERApy De-escalation for TESTicular Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Primary RPLND Versus Systemic Chemotherapy in Good-prognosis Metastatic Testicular Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Germ Cell Tumor and Testicular Tumor DNA Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Impact of a Physical Activity Program to Reduce Long-term Cancer-related Fatigue in Metastatic Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Follow-up After Surgery for Testicular Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Evaluation of Bile Acid Concentrations and Their Signaling as Markers of Testicular Tumorigenesis and Germ Cell Tumor Chemosensitivity
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: Testing the Addition of Pedmark to Cisplatin Chemotherapy for Reducing Drug-Induced Ear Damage in Men With Stage II-III Metastatic Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
New recruiting trial: A Prospective Study to Evaluate miRNA371 and Outcomes in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Germ Cell Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Germ cell tumor of testis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type and stage of testicular germ cell tumor do I have, and what does that mean for my treatment plan?,Should I bank sperm before starting treatment, and how do I arrange this quickly?,What are the short-term and long-term side effects of the recommended treatment?,What is my prognosis, and what risk category am I in?,How often will I need follow-up visits, blood tests, and scans after treatment?,Will I need testosterone replacement therapy after surgery?,Are there any clinical trials available that might be appropriate for me?
Common questions about Germ cell tumor of testis
What is Germ cell tumor of testis?
Germ cell tumor of the testis is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that normally develop into sperm. These tumors most commonly affect young men between the ages of 15 and 35, though they can occur at any age. The disease typically presents as a painless lump or swelling in one testicle, though some men may also experience a dull ache or heaviness in the lower belly or scrotum. There are two main types of testicular germ cell tumors: seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas tend to grow more slowly and are very sensitive to radiation therapy. Non-seminomas include several subtypes such
How is Germ cell tumor of testis inherited?
Germ cell tumor of testis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Germ cell tumor of testis typically begin?
Typical onset of Germ cell tumor of testis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Germ cell tumor of testis?
Yes — 15 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Germ cell tumor of testis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Germ cell tumor of testis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Germ cell tumor of testis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.