Can you keep a pregnancy with a teratoma?

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on May 12, 2025
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Pregnancy with a teratoma is generally considered safe, as the teratoma is a tumor located on the ovary and, if there is a pregnancy, the embryo develops within the uterus. Typically, the teratoma does not significantly affect the pregnancy, nor does the pregnancy greatly affect the teratoma, because they are not in the same organ. Therefore, it is usually acceptable to continue with the pregnancy in such cases. However, it is essential to undergo ultrasound examinations during pregnancy to monitor the development of the teratoma. If the teratoma increases in size, it is advisable to consider surgical removal after the first three months of pregnancy, as the baby is relatively larger and the surgery is generally safer at this stage.

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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 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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratomas?

When dealing with ovarian teratomas, whether surgery is required depends on the nature and size of the teratoma and the clinical symptoms of the patient. Not all teratomas necessarily require surgical treatment. Ovarian teratomas are germ cell tumors that occur in the ovaries. They can be classified into benign and malignant teratomas. Benign teratomas are well differentiated, and the tumor body may contain tissues such as hair and teeth. Generally, smaller teratomas can be observed periodically, but if the teratoma is larger and causes a pelvic mass lesion, surgical treatment is necessary. Malignant teratomas definitely require surgical excision and treatment.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can teratoma affect pregnancy?

Teratoma is a relatively common disease that occurs in the ovaries of women, caused by abnormal differentiation of reproductive cells during the embryonic period. Teratomas are classified into benign and malignant types. Teratomas can indeed affect a woman's ability to become pregnant and can pose a threat to health. Potential complications include torsion, rupture, and infection of the teratoma, which can gradually lead to other concurrent conditions. If not treated promptly, it could cause acute diseases and threaten a woman's ability to reproduce, affecting the happiness of the entire family. When an ovarian teratoma enlarges or undergoes degeneration, it may prevent the normal movement of eggs or fertilized eggs, thereby affecting normal fertility. Upon detection of a teratoma, surgery is generally required for treatment.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does a teratoma require surgery?

Ovarian teratomas are a type of germ cell tumor, requiring surgical treatment whether the teratoma is benign or malignant. Teratomas can be divided into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are considered benign tumors. Immature teratomas are malignant tumors, accounting for 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas. Mature teratomas are cystic with a single chamber filled with sebum and hair, and sometimes teeth and bone material can be found inside. Therefore, once a teratoma is identified, the choice of surgical method depends on the size of the tumor, and some biochemical tests are needed to determine the nature of the cystic tumor.