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 ¹ 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 ² 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, ² Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Treatment ³, Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment ⁴, or Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors Treatment ⁵ 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.

Glossary Terms

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body. Also called nonmalignant.

The organ that stores urine.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder (the organ that stores urine). Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder). Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids). The cells that form squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation.

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

A mineral needed for healthy teeth, bones, and other body tissues. It is the most common mineral in the body. A deposit of calcium in body tissues, such as breast tissue, may be a sign of disease.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope). Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was thought to prevent miscarriages. Diethylstilbestrol may increase the risk of uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer in women who took it. It also has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina or cervix in daughters exposed to diethylstilbestrol before birth. Also called DES.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

A reproductive cell of the body. Germ cells are egg cells in females and sperm cells in males.

A type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. Germ cell tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.

Side effects of cancer treatment that appear months or years after treatment has ended. Late effects include physical and mental problems and second cancers.

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

A group of testicular cancers that begin in the germ cells (cells that give rise to sperm). Nonseminomas are identified by the type of cell in which they begin and include embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, choriocarcinoma, and yolk sac carcinoma.

Having to do with the ovaries, the female reproductive glands in which the ova (eggs) are formed. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).

One of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

PDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute. Designed to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public, PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, complementary and alternative medicine, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care. Most of this information, and more specific information about PDQ, can be found on the NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq. Also called Physician Data Query.

The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood. The child develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes able to have children. Secondary sexual characteristics include growth of pubic, armpit, and leg hair; breast enlargement; and increased hip width in girls. In boys, they include growth of pubic, face, chest and armpit hair; voice changes; penis and testicle growth, and increased shoulder width.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.

A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone. This may cause virilization (the appearance of male physical characteristics in females). Also called androblastoma and arrhenoblastoma.

The male reproductive cell, formed in the testicle. A sperm unites with an egg to form an embryo.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

A tumor that arises in the supporting connective tissue of an organ.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

A type of germ cell tumor that may contain several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle, and bone. Teratomas occur most often in the ovaries in women, the testicles in men, and the tailbone in children. Not all teratomas are malignant.

One of two egg-shaped glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm and male hormones. Also called testis.

Cancer that forms in transitional cells in the lining of the bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis (the part of the kidney that collects, holds, and drains urine). Transitional cells are cells that can change shape and stretch without breaking apart.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Having to do with urine or the organs of the body that produce and get rid of urine.

Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.

The muscular canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. Also called birth canal.

Having to do with the vagina (the birth canal).

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina (birth canal). The vagina leads from the cervix (the opening of the uterus) to the outside of the body. The most common type of vaginal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the thin, flat cells lining the vagina. Another type of vaginal cancer is adenocarcinoma, cancer that begins in glandular cells in the lining of the vagina.