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Living with Yolk sac tumor

A type of cancer that starts in primitive germ cells. It is the most common of this kind of cancer in children.

Understanding Yolk sac tumor

Yolk sac tumor is a cancerous tumor made of primitive germ cells (early cells that form eggs and sperm), and is the most common of its kind in children.

It can occur in places such as the testis, ovary, base of the spine, vagina, uterus, abdomen, liver and brain. The tumor makes a protein called AFP. GARD lists onset in the teen and adult years. Treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and the tumor responds very well to chemotherapy that includes cisplatinum.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists.
Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team: Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care: Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment: GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research: Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

Connect with National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
Ask about patient registries that help research
Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits

Bring these questions to your next doctor visit

Where is my tumor, and how far has it spread?

What is the treatment plan, and what does the chemotherapy involve?

How will you track the AFP protein level during treatment?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startTeenager and as an Adult

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: embryonal carcinoma, infantile; endodermal sinus neoplasm; endodermal sinus tumor; endodermal sinus tumour; hepatoid yolk sac tumor; hepatoid yolk sac tumour

Patient organizations

National Ovarian Cancer CoalitionYolk sac tumor · United States

Source: NIH GARD · Yolk sac tumorGARD ID 348 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Yolk sac tumor.

Explore the Yolk sac tumor blog

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Explore research for Yolk sac tumor

Explore actively recruiting Yolk sac tumor studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Yolk sac tumor with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

HealthStoryfor Yolk sac tumor

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