What department should I go to for a teratoma?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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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 Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How large must an ovarian teratoma be to require surgery?

Ovarian teratomas, if detected by ultrasound, are indicative of surgery regardless of the size of the tumor. However, it is essential to locate the lesion accurately to proceed with the surgery. For teratomas smaller than two centimeters, it can be quite challenging to find the lesion, which might lead to surgical failure. Additionally, this can increase the trauma for the patient and the costs of surgery. Thus, it is generally advised to perform surgery on teratomas that are larger than two centimeters to ensure a more reliable outcome. In cases where patients have other diseases in conjunction with a teratoma, it is also feasible to consider removing the teratoma during surgery for the other conditions, always attempting to thoroughly explore and locate the teratoma regardless of its size.

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Written by Su Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is a teratoma?

Teratoma is the most common type of ovarian germ cell tumor. The majority of these tumors are mature cystic tumors, while a minority are immature solid ones. Mature teratomas are also known as dermoid cysts, are mostly benign, and can occur at any age, mostly between 20-40 years old, often presenting unilaterally. Immature teratomas are malignant tumors, more commonly found in younger patients, and these tumors are usually solid and bilateral. The primary treatment method is surgical, with post-surgery pathology determining the benign or malignant nature of the tumor and guiding subsequent treatment decisions.

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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.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can a teratoma disappear with medication?

Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with medication. Ovarian teratomas are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are categorized into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are mostly benign tumors. These cysts generally have a single chamber filled with sebum and hair, and sometimes teeth and bone material can also be found inside. On the other hand, immature teratomas are malignant tumors, making up 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas, commonly seen in younger patients with an average age between 11 and 19 years. Thus, it is crucial to seek prompt medical evaluation upon detection of an ovarian teratoma to determine the size of the cyst and, if necessary, pursue surgical treatment, as medication will not resolve the issue.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to Determine if a Teratoma is Benign

Teratomas in women are classified into benign and malignant categories. Benign teratomas typically have a complete capsule and grow very slowly. Some women find that the size of the teratoma does not change significantly during follow-up exams. Malignant teratomas, however, grow quickly and can present severe clinical symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and pelvic masses, with some women also experiencing fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, blood tests for gynecological tumor markers can also be used for differentiation. For example, in malignant tumors, markers such as CA-125, CA-199, and alpha-fetoprotein are elevated to varying degrees, particularly alpha-fetoprotein. During a CT scan, malignant teratomas may show unclear borders, potentially indicating invasion into the surrounding tissues. Additionally, after surgical removal of the tumor, pathological histological examination can be conducted for further differentiation. For instance, malignant teratomas tend to have a higher proportion of immature components.