Is it easy to get pregnant with a teratoma?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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First, what is a teratoma? Teratoma is a common ovarian tumor in gynecology, with a very high incidence rate. It is generally benign and the occurrence of teratomas is related to congenital genetic factors. Generally, if a teratoma is found, the first step is to check the size of the teratoma. If it is smaller than five centimeters, tumor series tests are normal, and there is no other discomfort, observation can be initiated. If the teratoma is relatively large, larger than five centimeters, surgical intervention is required. Teratomas themselves are not related to pregnancy, but because teratomas can lead to ovarian cyst torsion, after torsion occurs, one side of the adnexa may need to be removed, which could reduce fertility.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does teratoma require blood tests?

If a patient with a teratoma needs to undergo a blood test, the blood test may include routine blood work and blood biochemistry, as well as tumor marker tests such as CA125 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to check for any abnormal increases. If surgery is required for the patient, there might be additional blood tests conducted, including lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and infection and immunity tests. All these require blood draws for the examination.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian teratomas hurt?

Ovarian teratomas, if without any complications, do not cause abdominal pain. Many people only discover the presence of ovarian teratomas during routine physical examinations. However, if a series of complications occur with ovarian teratomas, they can lead to abdominal pain. For example, the torsion of an ovarian teratoma, can cause the patient to feel sudden acute pain in the lower abdomen on one side. This pain is generally severe and unbearable and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is the cause of the pain from a teratoma?

Female teratomas are cystic-solid tumors located on the ovaries. When they are small in size, they generally do not cause pain. However, as they grow larger, due to gravitational pull, they stretch the surrounding ligaments, causing women to experience hidden pain on one side of the lower abdomen. This pain is bearable and only intensifies after vigorous activities or intercourse. Some women may experience increased pain if they have a pelvic infection or during menstruation. Because teratomas are uneven in texture, if they are not adherent to surrounding structures and are relatively mobile, and their stalk is thinner, they might twist under certain circumstances, such as rolling over, spinning hula hoops, or during pregnancy, when the uterus grows and changes the position of the teratoma, leading to acute lower abdominal pain from torsion of the teratoma’s stalk. Therefore, when a woman experiences abdominal pain from a teratoma, it is essential to conduct a gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound to understand the specific cause of the pain.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do teratomas hurt?

Teratomas themselves do not cause pain, especially when they are relatively small, women often have no clinical symptoms. As the size gradually increases, the tumor pulls on the surrounding ligaments, causing abdominal discomfort, such as a feeling of abdominal heaviness, or even abdominal pain. Some women may also experience infection or adhesions with surrounding tissues, leading to abdominal pain. Additionally, some women may have malignant transformation of their teratoma, which invades surrounding tissues and nerves, possibly causing headaches. A small number of women may experience a change in the position of the teratoma after pregnancy or urination, leading to torsion, which can obstruct the blood flow to the tumor, resulting in necrosis and bleeding, causing acute abdominal pain.