How to treat teratoma?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Teratomas, for women, refer to ovarian teratomas. Once diagnosed, active surgical treatment is necessary. This is because such tumors could be malignant or may undergo torsion, thus requiring prompt treatment. Continued growth can cause destruction of the ovarian tissue, affecting ovarian function. If ovarian torsion occurs, it can lead to the necrosis of the ovary, also impacting its function. Therefore, surgical treatment is needed after diagnosis.

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Written by Qu Chun Yao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratoma?

If a color Doppler ultrasound confirms the presence of an ovarian teratoma, surgical treatment is required, as ovarian teratomas can be benign or malignant. Once diagnosed via color Doppler ultrasound, abdominal CT, MRI, or other radiological methods, surgery is necessary. Based on the surgical pathology results, if the teratoma is benign, cystectomy can be performed. If the pathology indicates malignancy, a more extensive surgical procedure and postoperative chemotherapy may be required. During this period, it is important to avoid ovarian cyst torsion and rupture to prevent the necessity of emergency surgery for acute abdomen. Ovarian teratomas cannot disappear naturally, so prompt surgical treatment is essential once diagnosed.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can ovarian teratomas be treated with Chinese medicine?

Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Firstly, ovarian teratomas are categorized as germ cell tumors and are divided into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign tumors. The cysts may contain hair, teeth, and some bony material. Immature teratomas, on the other hand, are malignant tumors that make up 1% to 3% of ovarian teratomas and are more common in younger patients aged 11 to 19 years. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is suspected, it is necessary to promptly visit a hospital for further examinations to determine the nature of the cyst, and then, based on the examination results, appropriately handle it with timely surgical intervention.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does teratoma require blood tests?

If a patient with a teratoma needs to undergo a blood test, the blood test may include routine blood work and blood biochemistry, as well as tumor marker tests such as CA125 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to check for any abnormal increases. If surgery is required for the patient, there might be additional blood tests conducted, including lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and infection and immunity tests. All these require blood draws for the examination.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What department should I go to for a teratoma?

Teratomas are not considered complex and difficult diseases; you can just register for a regular gynecology appointment. Then, related examinations such as ultrasound scans are necessary to assess aspects like the size and echoes of the teratoma, the presence of ascites in the pelvic cavity, whether there are adhesions nearby, and the clarity of the boundaries. Corresponding gynecological examinations are also required, as well as checking for symptoms such as compression of adjacent tissues and the presence of significant abdominal pain. Generally, teratomas around five centimeters in size may experience torsion of the pedicle, so laparoscopic surgery might be necessary when required.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The difference between ovarian teratoma and cysts

Ovarian teratomas are a type of ovarian cyst, and clinically, ovarian teratomas are not differentiated from ovarian cysts. Because ovarian teratomas and ovarian cysts are not diseases of the same category; teratomas are one type among the various classifications of ovarian cysts. Therefore, there is no difference between ovarian teratomas and ovarian cysts, and clinically, they may refer to the same category of disease.