What should be paid attention to usually with teratoma?

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on May 04, 2025
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For patients with teratoma, once the teratoma is detected, it is necessary to monitor it regularly. If the tumor is larger than three centimeters, it is best to undergo surgery as soon as possible. If surgery cannot be performed promptly due to particular reasons, then it is essential to have an ultrasound re-examination every three months. Additionally, patients should avoid vigorous exercise, external impacts, and significant changes in body position in daily life. Because teratomas are mixed masses with uneven textures, they are very prone to torsion. Therefore, significant changes in body position or vigorous exercises can easily cause the torsion of the pedicle, which may lead to the need for emergency surgery.

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Does ovarian teratoma affect pregnancy?

In gynecology, teratomas are a very common type of ovarian cyst. If a teratoma is discovered during the pre-pregnancy period, its size should be considered. If the teratoma is larger than five centimeters in diameter and is accompanied by abnormalities on a CT scan, it is recommended to undergo surgery before attempting to conceive. If the teratoma is very small, such as two to three centimeters in diameter, it does not affect future pregnancy. If a teratoma is discovered during early pregnancy, opinions vary. Some recommend surgical treatment after the first trimester, while others suggest a pregnancy observation plan. Teratomas during pregnancy are prone to complications such as ovarian cyst torsion, which can cause abdominal pain. Therefore, if you have a teratoma and successfully conceive, be mindful of any pain.

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Is teratoma serious?

Teratomas are one of the most common ovarian tumors in women and are generally benign and not severe. If a teratoma is discovered, regular examinations are necessary. These examinations should assess the endocrine status, as some teratomas have endocrine functions, and also consider the growth rate and specific size of the teratoma. Based on the examination results, it will be decided whether regular follow-up examinations are sufficient or if immediate surgical treatment is needed. Therefore, examinations are very important.

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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.

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What should I do if a teratoma recurs?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst, and there is a chance of recurrence after treatment. Clinically, once the recurrence of a teratoma is suspected, it is mostly recommended that the patient undergo surgery again to remove the recurrent teratoma and conduct a postoperative pathological examination to assess whether there is a tendency for the teratoma to become malignant. Further treatment plans are formulated based on the results of the postoperative pathology. After discovering the recurrence of a teratoma, there is no need to panic excessively; it is sufficient to seek medical attention promptly.

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Can you have intercourse with a teratoma?

When a woman has a teratoma, whether intercourse is advisable depends on the size of the tumor or the woman’s clinical symptoms. For example, if the teratoma is small and usually shows no clinical symptoms, normal intercourse is possible. As the size of the teratoma increases, some women may experience symptoms such as a sensation of heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen accompanied by discomfort in the back. During intercourse, the impact and change in tension could exacerbate these abdominal symptoms. Additionally, frequent changes in position during intercourse might provoke the teratoma, potentially leading to torsion and acute abdominal conditions, such as sudden lower abdominal pain. For these women, intercourse is still possible, but it is important to be gentle and slow when changing positions to avoid inducing these issues.