Perinatal germ cell tumors: a case report of a cervical teratoma.

Teratomas belong to a class of tumors known as germ cell tumors. Cervical teratomas are rare and account for 1.5% to 5.5% of all pediatric teratomas. These types of tumors are the result of abnormal development of pluripotent cells. The following case study describes a 36-week male infant who was prenatally diagnosed with a large cervical mass. The neonate was delivered via the EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure, with expert teams present. After stabilization, the infant was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The teratoma was removed on day of life 5. The pathology report indicated a malignant germ cell tumor. A chemotherapy regimen was developed for this critically ill neonate in the NICU. An interdisciplinary treatment approach allowed safe and optimal quality of care. Baby CM was discharged on day of life 88 without complications and continues to be cancer free and at home thriving.