Ovarian teratoma grows during pregnancy

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Will ovarian dermoid cysts grow larger after pregnancy? According to clinical experience, there is no correlation between ovarian dermoid cysts and pregnancy status. If there was a dermoid cyst before pregnancy, it is sufficient to monitor its changes during pregnancy check-ups.

Generally, ovarian dermoid cysts do not grow larger after pregnancy. However, it is important to note that ovarian dermoid cysts are prone to torsion and rupture. Therefore, patients with ovarian dermoid cysts should be attentive to any abdominal pain during pregnancy. If there is no abdominal pain, generally there should not be a major issue.

Other Voices

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is the cause of the pain from a teratoma?

Female teratomas are cystic-solid tumors located on the ovaries. When they are small in size, they generally do not cause pain. However, as they grow larger, due to gravitational pull, they stretch the surrounding ligaments, causing women to experience hidden pain on one side of the lower abdomen. This pain is bearable and only intensifies after vigorous activities or intercourse. Some women may experience increased pain if they have a pelvic infection or during menstruation. Because teratomas are uneven in texture, if they are not adherent to surrounding structures and are relatively mobile, and their stalk is thinner, they might twist under certain circumstances, such as rolling over, spinning hula hoops, or during pregnancy, when the uterus grows and changes the position of the teratoma, leading to acute lower abdominal pain from torsion of the teratoma’s stalk. Therefore, when a woman experiences abdominal pain from a teratoma, it is essential to conduct a gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound to understand the specific cause of the pain.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does a teratoma require immediate surgery?

Not all teratomas require immediate surgery. If a teratoma is found to be relatively small in size, many people can have it remain stable for a long time without significant changes, therefore periodic monitoring is possible. However, if a teratoma shows a rapid increase in size, or if it is already very large with the potential for torsion, or if there is a possibility of rupture or malignant transformation, or if the teratoma has endocrine activity, then immediate surgery may be necessary.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What's the matter with ovarian teratoma pain?

The causes of lower abdominal pain in women with ovarian teratomas are complex. Firstly, as the teratoma grows in size, it can, due to gravity, pull on surrounding ligaments, causing pain on one side of the lower abdomen. When the teratoma is particularly large, it can also compress nerves in the pelvis, leading to neuropathic pain. Moreover, teratomas are heterogeneously textured. If they are quite mobile and not adhering to surrounding tissues, sudden changes in body position, or an increase in uterine size during the mid-pregnancy, might shift the position of the teratoma. This can lead to torsion of the stalk, causing local ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in acute lower abdominal pain.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Why do benign teratomas recur?

Benign teratomas, although not aggressive or metastatic, do not require adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after curative surgery to fight the tumor. However, many benign teratomas recur after surgery and require further surgical treatment. The cause of benign teratoma recurrence is considered to be due to the persistent presence of oncogenic factors. Therefore, benign tumors can also recur, since the exact cause and pathogenesis of benign teratomas are still unclear clinically. Thus, prevention from an etiological perspective is not possible, and the only option is timely surgical removal upon tumor detection to prevent the benign teratoma from becoming malignant. For patients with benign teratomas, regular follow-up is necessary after curative surgery to monitor any changes in the condition. If signs of recurrence are detected, prompt intervention is necessary to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can a teratoma be treated with hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is an effective method for the examination and treatment of diseases within the uterine cavity, performed by entering through the vagina and cervix. However, teratomas are tumors commonly located in both ovaries, and since hysteroscopy cannot access the abdominal cavity, it is not possible to perform teratoma surgery with hysteroscopy. If teratomas are found in both ovaries, it is necessary to choose laparoscopy to remove the tumors within the abdominal cavity, rather than using hysteroscopy for treatment.