Bladder Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Carcinoma of the Cervix and Vagina

Genital/urinary tumors include bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer. These cancers are discussed below.

Bladder cancer is extremely rare in children. The most common carcinoma to involve the bladder is transitional cell carcinoma, which generally presents with blood in the urine. The diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer are the same for children, adolescents, and adults. Adolescents who develop this tumor are often prone to the development of other cancers. Bladder cancer in adolescents may develop as a late effect of certain chemotherapy Bladder Cancer Treatment drugs given for other childhood tumors or leukemia. (See the PDQ summary on adult for more information.)

Testicular tumors are very rare in young boys. There are 2 types of testicular tumors, germ cell and non-germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors begin in cells that give rise to sperm or eggs, and can be either benign or malignant. Testicular germ cell tumors include benign teratomas (the most common testicular tumors in boys), and malignant nonseminomas. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors Treatment for more information). Non-germ cell tumors, such as stromal tumors, are very rare in boys, and are usually benign. Testicular tumors in young boys may be treated with surgery, but there are few studies in children.

Most ovarian tumors in children are benign (noncancerous). The most common cancers that affect the ovaries are of germ cell origin (beginning in cells that give rise to sperm or eggs); these are more common in children than in adults. Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include painful periods and pain in the abdomen. Treatment is stage -related and may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors of the ovary are rare in young girls and may cause development of male sex traits or early signs of puberty. Small cell carcinomas of the ovary are very rare and fast-growing tumors that may cause higher than normal levels of calcium in the blood. Small cell carcinomas may be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, but there are few studies in children. (See the PDQ summaries on Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors Treatment, Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Treatment, Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment, or Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Cancer of the cervix and vagina is very rare in children and adolescents. Most young patients diagnosed with cancer of the cervix or vagina were exposed to a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth when it was given to their mothers. DES was given to pregnant women between 1945 and 1970 to keep them from losing their babies (miscarriage). The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix or vagina is vaginal bleeding. Treatment includes surgery followed by radiation and possibly chemotherapy.

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