What is a teratoma?

Written by Su Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 23, 2025
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Teratoma is the most common type of ovarian germ cell tumor. The majority of these tumors are mature cystic tumors, while a minority are immature solid ones. Mature teratomas are also known as dermoid cysts, are mostly benign, and can occur at any age, mostly between 20-40 years old, often presenting unilaterally. Immature teratomas are malignant tumors, more commonly found in younger patients, and these tumors are usually solid and bilateral. The primary treatment method is surgical, with post-surgery pathology determining the benign or malignant nature of the tumor and guiding subsequent treatment decisions.

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Do teratomas need to be surgically removed?

If a teratoma is confirmed, it is recommended that the patient undergo surgery immediately to confirm the diagnosis. The surgery for teratoma can be divided into minimally invasive and open surgery. Due to the development of current medical techniques, most teratomas can be operated on using laparoscopy, which is characterized by faster recovery and less trauma. However, in certain special cases, such as when the teratoma is large or the patient is overweight and has a number of other chronic diseases, open surgery can be chosen.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
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Ovarian teratoma is what?

Ovarian teratoma, which is one of several types of ovarian cysts, is mostly benign. However, in clinical practice, there is a possibility for some ovarian teratomas to become malignant. Therefore, it is recommended that if ovarian teratoma is suspected, immediate examinations should be conducted at local hospitals to assess the condition. If necessary, it is advised that patients with ovarian teratoma undergo surgical removal of the tumor in the hospital.

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Written by Yan Qiao
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What are the symptoms of teratoma recurrence?

If a teratoma recurs, in cases of benign teratomas, generally there are no symptoms. Symptoms only arise when the tumor grows large enough to compress the bladder and intestines, which might induce signs of bladder and rectal irritation. Additionally, a teratoma might undergo torsion due to changes in body position, causing sudden lower abdominal pain. If it is a malignant teratoma, there might not be noticeable symptoms early on. The recurrence of a teratoma can only be detected through regular monitoring with ultrasound and tumor markers; there are no better methods available.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What's the matter with ovarian teratoma pain?

The causes of lower abdominal pain in women with ovarian teratomas are complex. Firstly, as the teratoma grows in size, it can, due to gravity, pull on surrounding ligaments, causing pain on one side of the lower abdomen. When the teratoma is particularly large, it can also compress nerves in the pelvis, leading to neuropathic pain. Moreover, teratomas are heterogeneously textured. If they are quite mobile and not adhering to surrounding tissues, sudden changes in body position, or an increase in uterine size during the mid-pregnancy, might shift the position of the teratoma. This can lead to torsion of the stalk, causing local ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in acute lower abdominal 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.