Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors in Children: A Comprehensive Study on Epidemiology and Treatment Outcomes in 543 Patients

Abstract The objectives of this study are to investigate the demographic distribution of pediatric extracranial germ cell tumors and to evaluate treatment patterns and outcomes. We analyzed the medical records of 543 consecutive patients aged 0–15 years who were diagnosed with an extracranial germ cell tumor between January 2006 and December 2019. The peak age of presentation was at 1 year for both genders with a second peak at 14 years specifically for girls. An overall female predominance was noted, although there were variations in gender across different age groups. The 5-year overall survival rate for patients receiving complete curative treatment was 83%. Patients with gonadal tumors had a significantly greater probability of overall survival (87.6%) than did those with extragonadal tumors (75.6%) ( p < 0.0001). Additionally, patients with head and neck tumors (53.3%), mediastinal tumors (52.3%), and choriocarcinoma histology (33.3%) had a lower likelihood of survival. Pediatric extracranial germ cell tumors predominantly affect children under 5 years of age, with a notable female predominance. These tumors demonstrate overall favorable outcomes with appropriate treatment.