Does a teratoma hurt?

Written by Tao Zhong E
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on May 26, 2025
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Ovarian tumors can be of many types, including serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystadenomas, chocolate cysts, or teratomas. Most patients with teratomas have no obvious symptoms, especially when the teratoma is less than 5cm in size. Most are discovered incidentally during physical examinations and are often asymptomatic. However, teratomas measuring 5-6cm can easily undergo torsion within the abdominal cavity. Torsion may lead to acute abdominal pain, although typically, there are no symptoms of abdominal pain. Thus, annual physical examinations can help detect tumors on the ovaries or uterus.

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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are teratomas mostly benign?

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 Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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How is an ovarian teratoma caused?

The majority of the causes of ovarian teratomas stem from embryonic development, generally due to congenital factors leading to the formation of ovarian teratomas. A well-developed teratoma forms a complete teratoma, while poor development results in an incomplete teratoma, which typically exhibits a higher degree of malignancy. Most teratomas are benign tumors, with only a very small percentage showing tendencies to become malignant. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratomas to seek surgery at a hospital as soon as possible, and post-surgery, the removed tissue should be re-examined pathologically to check for any abnormalities. Hence, patients with ovarian teratomas must actively seek medical treatment at a hospital and, after recovery, prevent recurrence by undergoing regular medical check-ups annually, thus ensuring proactive treatment for those with teratomas.

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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do teratomas require a special diet?

The physical examination revealed a teratoma issue, which is generally related to congenital factors and has no relation to our regular diet. However, once a teratoma is found, it is essential to avoid eating cold and raw foods, as cold stimuli can also cause smooth muscle spasms, leading to discomfort in the abdomen. Regarding teratomas, the main consideration is the specific size of the tumor and the series conditions of the tumor. Some teratomas may undergo torsion, and others may become overly large or malignant, necessitating timely surgical intervention.

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Symptoms of teratoma malignancy

Mature teratomas of the ovary belong to a benign lesion; however, if a malignant transformation occurs, its growth rate will increase. As the tumor volume enlarges, it can cause women to experience heaviness and even pain on one side of the lower abdomen, and some women may also experience symptoms of lumbar discomfort. When its volume enlarges and compresses ovarian tissue, it can affect the function of the ovaries, leading to menstrual irregularities, anovulation, and difficulties in conception. Some women may experience the torsion of the teratoma pedicle, inducing acute abdominal pain, especially after sudden changes in body position or urination. Furthermore, when the teratoma undergoes malignant changes and becomes significantly large, it can also compress surrounding organs causing corresponding symptoms. For instance, compression towards the front can affect the bladder, causing frequent urination, whereas compression towards the back can impede bowel movement in the rectum. Sometimes, it can also compress nerves in the pelvic wall, causing pelvic pain.