Is the likelihood of a teratoma being benign high?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on April 22, 2025
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Currently, teratomas are relatively common in clinical practice, and there is a high probability that teratomas are benign, with most teratomas being benign. The definitive diagnosis requires surgical removal of the teratoma, followed by routine pathological examination post-surgery. The nature of the teratoma, whether benign or malignant, is determined based on the pathological examination, and the results of the pathology dictate the next steps in the treatment plan. If the teratoma is malignant, further follow-up treatment is necessary.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does a teratoma affect pregnancy?

Teratomas can be classified into benign cystic teratomas and malignant teratomas. In most cases, teratomas are benign and do not affect future pregnancies. When a woman develops a teratoma, she can usually conceive normally about six months after surgical treatment, and most patients who undergo standard treatment can conceive naturally. When a teratoma is detected, it is first important to identify whether the teratoma is benign or malignant. After the surgical removal, further pathological examination is also necessary to make this determination. If the teratoma is benign in its early stages, the impact is not significant. However, if the teratoma continues to grow and presses on the fallopian tubes or ovaries, it may cause infertility, so timely treatment is necessary.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of teratoma recurrence?

If a teratoma recurs, in cases of benign teratomas, generally there are no symptoms. Symptoms only arise when the tumor grows large enough to compress the bladder and intestines, which might induce signs of bladder and rectal irritation. Additionally, a teratoma might undergo torsion due to changes in body position, causing sudden lower abdominal pain. If it is a malignant teratoma, there might not be noticeable symptoms early on. The recurrence of a teratoma can only be detected through regular monitoring with ultrasound and tumor markers; there are no better methods available.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Why do benign teratomas recur?

Benign teratomas, although not aggressive or metastatic, do not require adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after curative surgery to fight the tumor. However, many benign teratomas recur after surgery and require further surgical treatment. The cause of benign teratoma recurrence is considered to be due to the persistent presence of oncogenic factors. Therefore, benign tumors can also recur, since the exact cause and pathogenesis of benign teratomas are still unclear clinically. Thus, prevention from an etiological perspective is not possible, and the only option is timely surgical removal upon tumor detection to prevent the benign teratoma from becoming malignant. For patients with benign teratomas, regular follow-up is necessary after curative surgery to monitor any changes in the condition. If signs of recurrence are detected, prompt intervention is necessary to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of teratoma?

Ovarian teratomas can cause abdominal pain and might even result in sudden abdominal enlargement, often accompanied by symptoms like bloating. Women experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly. Ovarian teratomas are more commonly found in younger women, particularly during their reproductive years. Thus, female patients experiencing these symptoms should promptly undergo an ultrasound at a hospital to check for the presence of teratomas and also have a blood test for tumor markers. If a teratoma is present, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible due to the risk of malignant transformation.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if a teratoma recurs?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst, and there is a chance of recurrence after treatment. Clinically, once the recurrence of a teratoma is suspected, it is mostly recommended that the patient undergo surgery again to remove the recurrent teratoma and conduct a postoperative pathological examination to assess whether there is a tendency for the teratoma to become malignant. Further treatment plans are formulated based on the results of the postoperative pathology. After discovering the recurrence of a teratoma, there is no need to panic excessively; it is sufficient to seek medical attention promptly.