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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is medication effective for ovarian teratoma?

The occurrence of ovarian teratomas is often related to congenital factors; it is a solid tumor for which medication is ineffective. It is necessary to check if there are other symptoms when a teratoma is detected. For example, some ovarian teratomas involve endocrine issues, others may have a tendency to become malignant, or some might be large in size, and some can experience torsion, leading to sudden abdominal pain, among other problems. Some require early surgical treatment, while small ovarian teratomas can be periodically monitored and observed.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a teratoma be detected by ultrasound?

Teratomas are a common type of solid tumor in the ovaries, and the vast majority of ovarian teratomas are benign. The most common method to examine teratomas in women is to perform an ultrasound. Generally, an abdominal ultrasound can be done 3-7 days after the menstrual cycle has ended to observe the ultrasonic echo of both ovaries. Normally, both ovaries are uniform in size and echo. If the ultrasound suggests the presence of a substantive mass on the ovary, which has a strong echo, or indicates the presence of fat or bone echoes, then this condition is highly suspected to be a teratoma. For ovarian teratomas, if the size is relatively small and there are no clinical symptoms, temporary observation is possible. However, if it is larger than five centimeters, laparoscopic removal is generally recommended.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does teratoma affect menstruation?

Teratoma, under normal circumstances, does not affect menstruation, but it does affect fertility. If it is confirmed that one side has a teratoma, surgery is generally required. After treatment, the ovary on that side is typically removed. Once removed, that ovary will no longer ovulate, and ovulation must occur from the other ovary. The maintenance of hormone levels in the body needs to be supported by the other ovary. If the function of the other ovary is normal, menstruation will continue to occur normally; it will not affect menstruation. However, if after the removal of the teratoma, one ovary is removed, the chance of conception is reduced by half compared to others. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratoma to undergo surgery as early as possible. After the surgery, if the pathology shows no issues and if it is a simple teratoma removal, it does not affect menstruation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do teratomas grow quickly?

Ovarian teratomas are a relatively common type of ovarian tumor and belong to germ cell tumors. Depending on the benign or malignant nature of the teratoma, their differentiation and growth rates vary, meaning they grow at different speeds. For instance, benign teratomas, also known as mature teratomas, usually grow slowly. Many women may find that, upon having a check-up every six months or a year, the size of the teratoma remains the same with no significant changes. However, some women may have malignant teratomas, or their previously mature teratomas may become malignant. In such cases, the mass may suddenly increase in size over a short period, causing abdominal pain, and sometimes the mass can be felt in the abdomen.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a teratoma pregnancy?

Teratoma is not a pregnancy; it is a type of ovarian tumor. Most of the time, this tumor is benign. It commonly occurs in individuals aged between 20 and 40 years. The formation of teratomas is generally due to poor differentiation during the embryonic stage, resulting in the development of this type of tumor. Very occasionally, teratomas can become malignant, which requires high vigilance. Most cases of malignancy are seen in young females aged between 11 and 19. Malignant teratomas are usually solid, but they can also have cystic areas.