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Germ cell tumors

Transplant advances and outcomes

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for many patients with germ cell tumors. However, hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) may also be indicated.

Ovarian cancer 

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death for women in the United States, and research is continuously evolving to show the clear risks and benefits of allogeneic HCT. [1]

Testicular cancer 

Male germ cell tumors are one of the most common curable malignancies among young adult men. Autologous HCT in early relapse and tandem transplantation show outcomes have improved over time. [2]

Recommended timing for transplant consultation

High-dose therapy with autologous stem cell support may be considered for patients with:

  • Poor initial response
  • Short initial response

References

  1. Bay J-O, Cabrespine-Faugeras A, Tabrizi R, et al. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in ovarian cancer-the EBMT experience. International journal of cancer. 2010;127(6):1446-1452. doi:10.1002/ijc.25149. Access
  2. Kilari D, D’Souza A, Fraser R, et al. Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Male Germ Cell Tumors: Improved Outcomes Over 3 Decades. Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019;25(6):1099-1106. doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2019.02.015. Access