How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can I go back to work?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Ovarian teratoma surgery generally requires at least one month of rest. Afterward, the timing to return to work should depend on one's personal health status and recovery condition. It also depends on the physical demands of the job, as everyone's situation is different. Ovarian teratoma surgery usually involves minimally invasive procedures, which generally allow for a faster recovery; most people can return to work after about a month. Only a minority of patients undergo open surgery, or some individuals who are in poorer health might need to rest for up to three months post-surgery.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do teratomas need to be surgically removed?

If a teratoma is confirmed, it is recommended that the patient undergo surgery immediately to confirm the diagnosis. The surgery for teratoma can be divided into minimally invasive and open surgery. Due to the development of current medical techniques, most teratomas can be operated on using laparoscopy, which is characterized by faster recovery and less trauma. However, in certain special cases, such as when the teratoma is large or the patient is overweight and has a number of other chronic diseases, open surgery can be chosen.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a teratoma be detected by ultrasound?

Teratomas are a common type of solid tumor in the ovaries, and the vast majority of ovarian teratomas are benign. The most common method to examine teratomas in women is to perform an ultrasound. Generally, an abdominal ultrasound can be done 3-7 days after the menstrual cycle has ended to observe the ultrasonic echo of both ovaries. Normally, both ovaries are uniform in size and echo. If the ultrasound suggests the presence of a substantive mass on the ovary, which has a strong echo, or indicates the presence of fat or bone echoes, then this condition is highly suspected to be a teratoma. For ovarian teratomas, if the size is relatively small and there are no clinical symptoms, temporary observation is possible. However, if it is larger than five centimeters, laparoscopic removal is generally recommended.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can one become pregnant?

When suffering from ovarian teratomas, it is necessary to undergo surgical removal as soon as possible. For women with fertility needs, it is generally possible to plan for pregnancy three months after the surgery. Ovarian teratomas are mostly benign, and the body can usually recover quickly after the surgery, approximately 2-3 months later, at which point the ovaries generally resume normal ovulatory function. It is recommended that women undergo regular follow-ups at the hospital after the surgical removal, as there is a possibility of recurrence of teratomas. Moreover, it is advisable to schedule intercourse based on the ovulation status.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian teratomas hurt?

Ovarian teratomas, if without any complications, do not cause abdominal pain. Many people only discover the presence of ovarian teratomas during routine physical examinations. However, if a series of complications occur with ovarian teratomas, they can lead to abdominal pain. For example, the torsion of an ovarian teratoma, can cause the patient to feel sudden acute pain in the lower abdomen on one side. This pain is generally severe and unbearable and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

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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.