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Teratoma
Does teratoma affect fetal development?
Teratomas are not normal fetuses; they are a type of tumor originating from germ cells in the ovaries. Pregnancy will not affect the normal development of the baby, and regular prenatal check-ups at the hospital are advisable. If it is possible to surgically remove the teratoma before trying to conceive, it is best to do so. Teratomas can be benign or malignant. Benign teratomas contain various components, including skin, hair, teeth, and bones. Malignant teratomas are poorly differentiated and more prone to malignant transformations and metastasis.
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.
Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratomas?
When dealing with ovarian teratomas, whether surgery is required depends on the nature and size of the teratoma and the clinical symptoms of the patient. Not all teratomas necessarily require surgical treatment. Ovarian teratomas are germ cell tumors that occur in the ovaries. They can be classified into benign and malignant teratomas. Benign teratomas are well differentiated, and the tumor body may contain tissues such as hair and teeth. Generally, smaller teratomas can be observed periodically, but if the teratoma is larger and causes a pelvic mass lesion, surgical treatment is necessary. Malignant teratomas definitely require surgical excision and treatment.
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.
Can ovarian teratomas be cured?
Ovarian teratoma is a relatively common tumor disease in women, mostly benign in nature, and its development is largely associated with congenital factors. For small ovarian teratomas detected early, regular follow-up examinations are generally sufficient. However, surgery is required when necessary, such as in cases of rapid growth or when endocrine functions are involved, etc. Relying solely on medication to treat teratomas is utterly ineffective, as this type of tumor is a more solid ovarian tumor, and no medication will work.
What is a teratoma?
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.
Symptoms of ovarian teratoma
In clinical practice, some women with ovarian teratoma may not exhibit any symptoms and the presence of an ovarian teratoma might only be discovered during a physical examination. In some cases, women with ovarian teratoma may experience torsion of the tumor after vigorous activity. When torsion occurs, the patient may suddenly feel pain in one side of the lower abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention and, if necessary, undergo timely surgical treatment.
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.
Can teratoma affect menstruation?
The majority of teratomas do not have endocrine functions and will not affect menstrual cycles. If there is a delay in menstruation, the first step is to check for pregnancy. If menstruation is delayed for two weeks, pregnancy should be ruled out, and interventions might be necessary, such as an ultrasound to examine the endometrium or a progesterone withdrawal test. Teratomas do not cause menstrual delays unless a very small number of them have endocrine issues. However, these would not suddenly change the menstrual cycle but would potentially cause long-term endocrine changes from the time the teratoma is discovered.
Malignant manifestations of ovarian teratoma
When ovarian teratomas are small, they usually do not exhibit any clinical symptoms. When teratomas become malignant, they grow faster, and if too large, may cause women to experience abdominal distension and pain. The pulling of surrounding tissues can also lead to pain in the lower abdomen on one side in women. When ovarian teratomas are severely malignant, they can invade or compress surrounding tissues, leading to related symptoms like compression of the fallopian tubes, causing infertility; or compression towards the bladder, causing frequent and urgent urination in women. The texture of teratomas is uneven. In certain special circumstances, such as when a woman suddenly changes her position, torsion or rupture of the teratoma can occur, causing acute lower abdominal pain and other symptoms of acute abdomen. Additionally, in the late stages of the disease, symptoms such as emaciation and anemia can also appear.