ABSTRACT
Germ-cell cancers are rare malignancies of young adult life which occur in males in 97-98 per cent of cases. Histologically identical neoplasms may arise in multiple sites. Whilst the most common primary site is the testis, other recognized primary sites include the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, pineal/suprasellar area, the ovary and (in infants) the sacro-coccygeal region. This chapter focuses predominantly on testicular germ-cell cancers, but also includes sections on primary mediastinal and retroperitoneal disease. Over 95 per cent of patients presenting with a germ-cell tumour can expect to be cured.
