Condition group
Solid tumors
Solid tumors are cancers that form in tissues or organs. The library has guides to 14 of them, including neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma and testicular nonseminoma (NSGCT). Of these 14, 10 usually use the person’s own cells when a transplant is used and 4 are usually treated without a transplant.
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14 conditions
14 conditions compared
Who do solid tumors affect, and where does transplant fit?
| Condition | Who it affects | Where transplant fits |
|---|---|---|
| Usually the person’s own cells10 conditions | ||
| Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT)AT/RT is a rare, aggressive tumor of the brain or spinal cord. It mainly affects very young children, but older children and adults can get it too. | AT/RT mainly affects very young children, although older children and adults can be affected. | Some treatment plans add high-dose chemotherapy, then return the patient's own saved stem cells. This step does not need a marrow donor. |
| CNS germinoma (brain germinoma)A CNS germinoma is a germ cell tumor in the brain. It is often near the pineal gland or above the pituitary, and it can affect vision, hormones or the flow of brain fluid. | CNS germinomas mainly affect children, adolescents and young adults. | For some tumors that come back, high-dose chemotherapy may be followed by a return of the patient's own stem cells. This step does not need a donor. |
| CNS nongerminomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT)CNS nongerminomatous germ cell tumors are a varied group of brain tumors. Scans, tumor marker tests and sometimes a tissue sample tell them apart from pure germinoma. | These tumors mainly affect children, adolescents and young adults. | For some tumors that come back, or in specialist plans, high-dose chemotherapy may be given. The patient's own stem cells are then returned, so no donor is needed. |
| Ewing sarcomaEwing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone or soft tissue. It mainly affects children, teens and young adults. | Ewing sarcoma mainly affects children, adolescents and young adults. | Some high-risk patients may get high-dose chemotherapy followed by a return of their own stem cells. This is not routine and normally does not use a registry donor. |
| MedulloblastomaMedulloblastoma is a brain cancer that starts in the cerebellum and mostly affects children. It can spread through the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. | Medulloblastoma mainly affects children but can occur in adults. | In some plans for young children or for cancer that comes back, high-dose chemotherapy is given. It is followed by a return of the patient's own stem cells, not a donor's. |
| NeuroblastomaNeuroblastoma is a cancer of immature nerve cells that mainly affects babies and young children. It often starts in or near an adrenal gland. | Neuroblastoma mainly affects infants and young children. | An established step for eligible children with high-risk disease is high-dose chemotherapy followed by a return of their own stem cells. A donor is not normally needed. |
| Ovarian germ cell tumorOvarian germ cell tumors start in the ovary cells that normally become eggs. They mostly affect teens and young adults and differ from more common ovarian cancers. | Ovarian germ-cell tumors mainly affect teenagers and young adults. | For some tumors that come back, high-dose chemotherapy may be considered, often in specialist or research care. The patient's own stem cells are then returned, so no donor is needed. |
| Primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumorThis is a germ cell cancer that starts in the chest between the lungs. It is not a lymphoma, and it is not a testicular tumor that has spread there. | This tumor mainly affects adolescent and young adult males. | Some patients, especially when the cancer comes back (relapse), may get high-dose chemotherapy. It is followed by a return of their own stem cells, so no donor is used. |
| Testicular nonseminoma (NSGCT)Testicular nonseminomas are germ cell cancers of the testicle, often made of mixed tumor types. They mainly affect teens and younger adult men. | Mainly young men. NCI says testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 39, and in the United States half of new cases are in men aged 20 to 34. | High-dose chemotherapy with a return of the patient's own stem cells is an established option. It is used for some cancers that come back or do not respond, and no donor is normally needed. |
| Testicular seminomaTesticular seminoma is a germ cell cancer of the testicle. It mostly affects younger and middle-aged adults and usually responds well to treatment. | Seminoma mainly affects adults, often in younger and middle adult years. | Some seminomas that come back or do not respond may be treated with high-dose chemotherapy. The patient's own stem cells are then returned, usually with no donor. |
| Limited transplant role4 conditions | ||
| Breast cancerBreast cancer is a group of cancers that start in breast tissue. It mostly affects women and becomes more common with age, but men can get it too. | Breast cancer primarily affects women and becomes more common with age; men can also develop it. | High-dose chemotherapy with a return of the patient's own stem cells is not routine care. A transplant from a registry donor is not a standard option either. |
| PineoblastomaPineoblastoma is a rare, aggressive brain tumor in the pineal area that mainly affects children. It can block the flow of brain fluid or spread within the brain and spine. | Pineoblastoma mainly affects children, with age patterns varying by molecular subtype. | Some intensive chemotherapy plans include a return of the patient's own stem cells, so no donor is normally needed. These plans are used especially for young children or tumors that come back. |
| RetinoblastomaRetinoblastoma is a cancer of the retina in young children that can affect one or both eyes. Its genetic cause may matter for family testing. | Mainly very young children. NCI says two-thirds of cases are found before age 2, and children with cancer in both eyes are usually diagnosed in their first year. | High-dose chemotherapy with a return of the child's own stem cells needs no donor. It is used for some cancer outside the eye, not usually for cancer inside it. |
| Wilms tumorWilms tumor is a kidney cancer of young children. Some children have an underlying genetic risk that makes it more likely. | Wilms tumor mainly affects young children. | High-dose chemotherapy with a return of the child's own stem cells has been used for some high-risk tumors that come back. It is not routine, and it uses no donor. |
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Ways to help
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help more people find the donor they need.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
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If someone you love needs a donor, our family guide explains practical ways to help. A registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
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