What to do about ovarian teratoma abdominal pain?

Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on December 27, 2024

00:00

00:00

If a patient has an ovarian teratoma and also has abdominal pain, they should immediately visit a local hospital for a gynecological examination and a gynecological ultrasound. The main purpose is to confirm whether there is torsion of the ovarian teratoma. Once torsion of the ovarian teratoma occurs, it can cause ischemic necrosis of the ipsilateral fallopian tube and ovary, leading to severe consequences. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is detected, it is not advisable for the patient to continue observation treatment. Prompt surgery is key to avoiding pathological changes and complications.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Chang Yue

General Surgery

54sec

home-news-image

How long does it take to recover from a laparoscopic teratoma surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery for teratomas generally allows those with minor and less severe symptoms to recover back to normal within about one to two weeks. However, recovery takes longer for complex teratomas, especially those that involve the removal of parts of organs. In severe cases where sections of the intestine are removed, recovery can extend to three to four weeks or more. Therefore, the specific recovery time for treating teratomas with laparoscopy must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's specific condition. Moreover, after laparoscopic surgery for teratomas, it is essential to conduct further pathological examinations. Some malignant teratomas may require additional surgeries, and maybe even include chemotherapy or other treatment measures, potentially extending the recovery period.

home-news-image

Written by Sun Shan Shan

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 6sec

home-news-image

How large must a teratoma be to require surgery?

Ovarian teratomas belong to a type of ovarian germ cell tumor. Ovarian teratomas can be classified into mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, which are a type of benign tumor. There are also immature teratomas, which are malignant tumors commonly found in younger patients, typically between the ages of 11 and 19. If an ovarian teratoma is found to be over three centimeters in diameter, further examinations such as a CA125 test and pelvic CT scan are needed. In the absence of other complications, elective surgical treatment can be planned. However, if the examination reveals high CA125 levels and the pelvic CT confirms the diagnosis, and the cyst is growing rapidly with high blood lipids, timely surgical treatment is necessary, followed by a rapid pathological examination during the surgery.

home-news-image

Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 8sec

home-news-image

How is a teratoma surgically removed?

When a woman has an ovarian teratoma, treatment should be determined based on the specific age of the woman, whether the teratoma is benign or malignant, and other factors. For example, if the woman is relatively young and has a benign teratoma and wishes to preserve her fertility, she can undergo ovarian teratoma excision surgery, which can be performed either laparoscopically or through an open surgery. During the operation, the entire teratoma can be completely separated and placed in a specimen bag to prevent contamination of the woman's pelvic cavity and avoid chemical peritonitis or granuloma. If the teratoma is malignant, then it is necessary to remove the adnexa and perform a comprehensive staging surgery. After surgery, based on the results of the pathological examination, it will be decided whether additional treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy are needed.

home-news-image

Written by Xu Xiao Ming

Obstetrics and Gynecology

43sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Li Shun Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

52sec

home-news-image

Does ovarian teratoma affect menstruation?

Ovarian teratomas include mature teratomas, which are benign tumors. These benign ovarian teratomas do not affect menstruation. However, there are also malignant teratomas, which are immature teratomas. Immature teratomas can secrete hormones, and because they secrete different types of hormones, their impact on menstruation varies. If an ovarian teratoma is diagnosed, immediate surgical treatment is required, because if it is an immature teratoma, it is malignant. Prolonged presence can lead to metastasis. If a teratoma is detected early, early-stage malignant tumors can be cured through surgical treatment.