Symptoms of ovarian teratoma

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 21, 2025
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In clinical practice, some women with ovarian teratoma may not exhibit any symptoms and the presence of an ovarian teratoma might only be discovered during a physical examination. In some cases, women with ovarian teratoma may experience torsion of the tumor after vigorous activity. When torsion occurs, the patient may suddenly feel pain in one side of the lower abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention and, if necessary, undergo timely surgical treatment.

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Written by Fan Li Ping
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
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Do ovarian teratomas hurt?

Ovarian teratomas do not cause abdominal pain under normal conditions. However, if a patient engages in vigorous activities, it can lead to a torsion of the ovarian teratoma. The torsion of the teratoma can drag the ovary to twist along with it, consequently affecting the blood supply to the adnexa on the affected side, leading to ischemic necrosis of the adnexa, and thus causing a sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain on one side. In such abnormal situations, the ovarian teratoma can indeed cause lower abdominal pain.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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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 Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is ovarian teratoma cancer?

Ovarian teratomas are divided into benign and malignant types. If the teratoma is malignant, then it is a type of cancer. If it is benign, it is not cancer; it is just a tumor. The malignancy of a tumor is not as high as that of cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to determine its pathological type. After removing the teratoma, it should be sent to the pathology department for examination to clearly determine whether it is benign or malignant. For benign teratomas, postoperative follow-up observation is sufficient. However, if the teratoma is malignant, the scope of the surgery should be conducted according to the protocols for ovarian cancer, and chemotherapy is required after surgery.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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Can you get pregnant after removing a teratoma?

Whether a woman can conceive after undergoing teratoma surgery depends on the postoperative histopathological examination. For instance, some women have mature teratomas, which are benign lesions. After the removal surgery that spares the ovarian tissue, menstrual cycles can return to normal, allowing for possible pregnancy. However, if the postoperative pathology results indicate an immature teratoma, which is a malignant condition, further extensive surgery may be required, such as pelvic lymph node dissection or a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy involving the uterus and its appendages, which might result in the inability to conceive.