How should a teratoma be treated?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 23, 2024
00:00
00:00

In gynecology, a teratoma refers to an ovarian teratoma. The surgical procedure for an ovarian teratoma is tumor excision. Therefore, immediate surgery is required once an ovarian teratoma is diagnosed. During an ultrasound, only the ovarian tumor can be seen, but its nature cannot be determined. Typically, a rapid pathological examination is needed during surgery. If the pathology results still indicate a mature teratoma, it is a benign tumor, and surgical removal is sufficient. Therefore, once discovered, surgical treatment is necessary because if the teratoma grows larger, it can damage the ovaries, potentially causing infertility or reduced ovarian function.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
54sec home-news-image

Is the recurrence of ovarian teratoma serious?

If there is a recurrence after undergoing ovarian teratoma surgery, it is considered serious. In such cases, it should be considered that the ovarian teratoma might be malignant, and malignant teratomas can potentially metastasize. Therefore, it is recommended that women, after having ovarian teratoma surgery, should actively pursue further radiotherapy and chemotherapy based on the nature of the teratoma, to control the cancer cells. In daily life, it is advisable to eat a light diet, consume various fresh vegetables and fruits, and avoid cold, spicy, and irritating foods. Moderate exercise should be performed to enhance physical condition and maintain a cheerful mood, all of which can help alleviate the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
37sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
44sec home-news-image

How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can one become pregnant?

When suffering from ovarian teratomas, it is necessary to undergo surgical removal as soon as possible. For women with fertility needs, it is generally possible to plan for pregnancy three months after the surgery. Ovarian teratomas are mostly benign, and the body can usually recover quickly after the surgery, approximately 2-3 months later, at which point the ovaries generally resume normal ovulatory function. It is recommended that women undergo regular follow-ups at the hospital after the surgical removal, as there is a possibility of recurrence of teratomas. Moreover, it is advisable to schedule intercourse based on the ovulation status.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Fan Li Ping
Obstetrics and Gynecology
52sec home-news-image

Can ovarian teratomas become cancerous?

Most ovarian teratomas are a type of benign tumor on the ovaries, but a few may become malignant. Therefore, if an ultrasound suggests an ovarian teratoma and it is relatively small, around two to three centimeters, without any symptoms, we can temporarily observe it. However, the condition is that we should test for tumor markers, such as checking if there are significant increases in CA-125 or AFP, to see if there's a tendency for malignancy. Another condition is that regular follow-up examinations are essential. If there's a sudden increase in size in a short period or a continuous growth, it is advisable to consider surgical treatment, as early surgical intervention tends to have better outcomes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

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.