Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratoma?

Written by Qu Chun Yao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 02, 2025
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If a color Doppler ultrasound confirms the presence of an ovarian teratoma, surgical treatment is required, as ovarian teratomas can be benign or malignant. Once diagnosed via color Doppler ultrasound, abdominal CT, MRI, or other radiological methods, surgery is necessary. Based on the surgical pathology results, if the teratoma is benign, cystectomy can be performed. If the pathology indicates malignancy, a more extensive surgical procedure and postoperative chemotherapy may be required. During this period, it is important to avoid ovarian cyst torsion and rupture to prevent the necessity of emergency surgery for acute abdomen. Ovarian teratomas cannot disappear naturally, so prompt surgical treatment is essential once diagnosed.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can a teratoma disappear with medication?

Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with medication. Ovarian teratomas are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are categorized into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are mostly benign tumors. These cysts generally have a single chamber filled with sebum and hair, and sometimes teeth and bone material can also be found inside. On the other hand, immature teratomas are malignant tumors, making up 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas, commonly seen in younger patients with an average age between 11 and 19 years. Thus, it is crucial to seek prompt medical evaluation upon detection of an ovarian teratoma to determine the size of the cyst and, if necessary, pursue surgical treatment, as medication will not resolve the issue.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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The difference between ovarian teratoma and cysts

Ovarian teratomas and ovarian cysts are two completely different diseases. Ovarian teratomas are caused by congenital factors and are tumors of the germ cells that can be benign or malignant, usually requiring surgical removal for treatment. Ovarian cysts, on the other hand, are caused by various factors in women, such as poor lifestyle habits or an imperfect diet structure, leading to a hormonal disease. Ovarian cysts can be physiological or pathological. Usually, physiological ovarian cysts gradually disappear with the menstrual cycle, while pathological ovarian cysts can also be benign or malignant. The need for surgical treatment depends on the nature, size, and clinical symptoms of the ovarian cyst.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Are ovarian teratomas congenital?

Ovarian teratomas are congenital, primarily deriving from primordial germ cells. Teratomas consist of tissues from multiple embryonic layers, mostly being immature types. Most ovarian teratomas are cystic. Depending on the degree of tissue differentiation, teratomas can be classified as benign or malignant. Benign teratomas, also known as mature teratomas, are more common in women aged 20-40 and are usually unilateral and either round or ovoid in shape. A portion of these teratomas are malignant, typically found in younger patients, roughly aged 11-19 years, and this condition has a poorer prognosis, requiring timely surgical treatment.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is surgery necessary for teratoma?

Ovarian teratoma belongs to a type of germ cell tumor. Ovarian teratomas can be classified into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. Mature teratoma, also known as dermoid cyst, is mostly a benign tumor. Within the cyst, components such as sebum, hair, teeth, and bone can be found. Additionally, mature teratomas have a malignant transformation risk of 2%-4% and are commonly seen in postmenopausal women. On the other hand, immature teratomas are malignant tumors, accounting for 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas and more commonly found in younger patients, with the average age ranging from 11 to 19 years old. Therefore, timely surgical treatment is necessary once an ovarian teratoma is detected.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat ovarian teratoma

The treatment for ovarian teratoma can only be addressed through surgical methods; this type of teratoma cannot be treated effectively with medication or conservative approaches. Therefore, once an ultrasound report indicates the presence of a teratoma, it is often advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. After the surgery, the removed tissue should be examined pathologically again to check for any malignant tendencies. The majority of teratomas are benign, with only a very small number of undifferentiated ones showing malignant potential. Hence, most teratomas require surgical treatment at a hospital. There are different surgical options for treating teratomas, including open abdominal surgery and minimally invasive surgery. If conditions allow, most people will opt for laparoscopic surgery to treat ovarian teratomas.