Are teratomas mostly benign?

Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 31, 2024
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Ovarian teratomas belong to the category of germ cell tumors, which are divided into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. Immature teratomas are malignant and account for 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas, thus they occur relatively less frequently. These are more commonly found in young patients, with an average age of 11-19 years. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign and can account for 10%-20% of ovarian tumors and 85%-97% of germ cell tumors, comprising over 95% of ovarian teratomas. These can occur at any age, but are most common between 20-40 years, often unilateral, and may contain components such as fats, hair, and sometimes teeth and bone tissues. Thus, the majority of mature teratomas are benign tumors.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does teratoma affect menstruation?

Teratoma, under normal circumstances, does not affect menstruation, but it does affect fertility. If it is confirmed that one side has a teratoma, surgery is generally required. After treatment, the ovary on that side is typically removed. Once removed, that ovary will no longer ovulate, and ovulation must occur from the other ovary. The maintenance of hormone levels in the body needs to be supported by the other ovary. If the function of the other ovary is normal, menstruation will continue to occur normally; it will not affect menstruation. However, if after the removal of the teratoma, one ovary is removed, the chance of conception is reduced by half compared to others. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratoma to undergo surgery as early as possible. After the surgery, if the pathology shows no issues and if it is a simple teratoma removal, it does not affect menstruation.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does teratoma affect the fetus?

Teratoma is a common benign ovarian tumor in women, and most teratomas do not affect the fetus. Since the majority of teratomas are smaller than 5cm, even under the stimulation of pregnancy, teratomas generally do not grow significantly large, and it is generally considered that small teratomas do not affect the fetus. However, if the teratoma is very large, more than 8cm, there is a risk of rupture and infection during pregnancy, which could potentially affect the fetus. For large teratomas during pregnancy, enhanced monitoring is necessary to avoid rupture and infection, in order to protect the fetus.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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Is ovarian teratoma a major surgery?

Generally, ovarian teratomas are considered major surgeries and are closely related to the nature of the teratomas. These are common major gynecological surgeries. It is recommended to visit the obstetrics and gynecology department for comprehensive examinations and a full-body assessment. Additionally, procedures such as biopsy are needed to determine the nature of the tumor, after which an appropriate treatment plan can be chosen. Options generally include open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, both of which are relatively major procedures.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does a teratoma require immediate surgery?

Not all teratomas require immediate surgery. If a teratoma is found to be relatively small in size, many people can have it remain stable for a long time without significant changes, therefore periodic monitoring is possible. However, if a teratoma shows a rapid increase in size, or if it is already very large with the potential for torsion, or if there is a possibility of rupture or malignant transformation, or if the teratoma has endocrine activity, then immediate surgery may be necessary.