Can ovarian teratomas be treated with Chinese medicine?

Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on October 25, 2024
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Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Firstly, ovarian teratomas are categorized as germ cell tumors and are divided into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign tumors. The cysts may contain hair, teeth, and some bony material. Immature teratomas, on the other hand, are malignant tumors that make up 1% to 3% of ovarian teratomas and are more common in younger patients aged 11 to 19 years. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is suspected, it is necessary to promptly visit a hospital for further examinations to determine the nature of the cyst, and then, based on the examination results, appropriately handle it with timely surgical intervention.

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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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Will the teratoma recur after the ovary is removed?

For teratomas, ovarian tumor excision surgery is generally chosen. If the teratoma is too large, and the remaining ovarian tissue is insufficient, there is no need to preserve the ovary, or if the teratoma has severe torsion causing ovarian tissue necrosis, an oophorectomy is necessary. After the oophorectomy, recurrence on the same side is generally not observed, but there is sometimes a possibility of recurrence on the opposite side, though the likelihood of recurrence is very low. Generally, if one ovary is removed due to a teratoma, the recurrence rate on the opposite side is usually less than 10%. Treatment of teratomas is generally surgical, and if not treated timely, complications such as torsion may occur.

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Will a teratoma regrow if it is removed?

After surgery for ovarian teratoma, whether it can regrow is uncertain, because ovarian tissue can potentially develop such tumors. Ovarian teratomas can be benign or malignant. The recurrence rate of benign teratomas is very low after surgery, but there is still a possibility of regrowth. However, for malignant teratomas, also known as immature teratomas, surgery involves removing the affected ovary. The opposite ovary can be preserved if it is normal, depending on the patient's age, but regular follow-ups are necessary. If the patient is older, an extensive surgery for teratoma, which includes the removal of both the uterus and ovaries, might be required.

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Can ovarian teratomas affect menstruation?

Women with ovarian teratomas, when they are relatively small, usually do not affect the menstrual cycle. However, as they grow larger, they may compress the normal ovarian cortex, leading to abnormal ovulation, abnormal hormone secretion levels, disruption of the menstrual cycle, and can also cause difficulties in getting pregnant. Additionally, ovarian teratomas belong to germ cell tumors, which are multi-layered but can also develop into a single layer. Some teratomas are highly single-layered and can secrete certain hormones that affect women's endocrine system, thereby affecting the menstrual cycle.

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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.