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
1min 7sec home-news-image

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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
55sec home-news-image

How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can one have sexual intercourse?

After undergoing surgery for an ovarian teratoma, generally, sexual intercourse can resume about a month later. However, the specific timing depends on the patient's recovery. Some women who are physically stronger may recover faster and can have sexual intercourse around a month post-surgery. However, if a female patient is relatively weak, recovery might be slower, and it is advised to wait until full recovery before engaging in sexual intercourse. It is essential to take contraceptive measures during intercourse to avoid pregnancy. After surgery, it is recommended to wait until at least three months post-surgery, when the body has recovered well, before attempting pregnancy. Regular prenatal check-ups should be done after conceiving.

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Written by Qu Chun Yao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratoma?

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 Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
46sec home-news-image

Does a teratoma that is too large affect fertility?

Ovarian teratoma is a type of commonly seen benign ovarian tumor. Even though it is benign, like in the case of teratomas, it can still potentially affect a woman's fertility. The critical factors are the location and the size of the ovarian tumor. If the tumor originates from the center of the ovary, it is likely to cause significant damage to the ovarian tissue. Additionally, if the tumor is large, it can also cause substantial damage to the normal tissue. These factors can impact a woman’s fertility, leading to a decline or even complete loss of reproductive function. Whether fertility is retained depends on the function of the ovary on the other side.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
44sec home-news-image

Does ovarian teratoma affect the fetus?

Ovarian teratoma is a type of gynecological disease, originating from germ cells, and is a relatively common type of ovarian germ cell tumor. It can be divided into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. As for the impact of ovarian teratomas on the fetus, it depends on the size and type of the teratoma, as well as the parts it involves, especially teratomas of the testes and ovaries that involve male and female reproductive functions. When suffering from an ovarian teratoma, it is advisable to undergo surgery actively, and to plan for pregnancy after the disease is cured, in order to ensure the healthy development of the fetus.