TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Chemotherapy
Source: Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 19, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Context: Treatment Option Overview / The following types of treatment are used:
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
Chemotherapy for extragonadal germ cell tumors is usually systemic, meaning it is injected into a vein or given by mouth. When given this way, the drugs enter the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.
Chemotherapy drugs used to treat extragonadal germ cell tumors may include:
bleomycin
Source links and citations
carboplatin
Source links and citations
cisplatin
Source links and citations
etoposide
Source links and citations
ifosfamide
Source links and citations
Combinations of these drugs may be used. Other chemotherapy drugs not listed here may also be used.
Learn more about how chemotherapy works, how it is given, common side effects, and more at Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer and Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer.
Source links and citations
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice