What is germ cell cancer and is it hereditary?

Germ cells are the cells in the body that develop into sperm and eggs. They are mainly found in the ovary or testicle. But they can sometimes be present in other parts of the body, such as the pineal gland in the brain or elsewhere in the head, neck or chest. 

The most common germ cell tumours are teratomas or seminomas of the testicle in men. In women, about 1 or 2% of ovarian cancers are germ cell tumours. Most of these occur in teenagers or young women (although they also occur in women in their 60's). 

Germ cell tumours generally respond very well to chemotherapy and most patients are cured. 

If a man has a close relative with testicular cancer, then he is at higher risk of getting it himself. This makes it likely that there are some genetic factors that cause germ cell tumours. Other types of germ cell tumour are much rarer, so risk factors such as family history are more difficult to spot. 

CancerHelp UK has a whole section on testicular cancer which has more information about risk factors as well as diagnosis and treatment.