What department should I go to for a teratoma?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Teratomas are not considered complex and difficult diseases; you can just register for a regular gynecology appointment. Then, related examinations such as ultrasound scans are necessary to assess aspects like the size and echoes of the teratoma, the presence of ascites in the pelvic cavity, whether there are adhesions nearby, and the clarity of the boundaries. Corresponding gynecological examinations are also required, as well as checking for symptoms such as compression of adjacent tissues and the presence of significant abdominal pain. Generally, teratomas around five centimeters in size may experience torsion of the pedicle, so laparoscopic surgery might be necessary when required.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can teratoma be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst. Whether a teratoma can be treated through minimally invasive surgery needs to be assessed based on the size of the teratoma. If the teratoma is of normal size, then it can be treated with laparoscopic teratoma surgery. However, if the teratoma is excessively large, such a large teratoma will occupy most of the volume of the pelvic abdomen. In this case, it is not possible to perform minimally invasive surgery. Therefore, further evaluation is needed before performing teratoma surgery to determine if it is suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of teratoma?

Ovarian teratomas can cause abdominal pain and might even result in sudden abdominal enlargement, often accompanied by symptoms like bloating. Women experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly. Ovarian teratomas are more commonly found in younger women, particularly during their reproductive years. Thus, female patients experiencing these symptoms should promptly undergo an ultrasound at a hospital to check for the presence of teratomas and also have a blood test for tumor markers. If a teratoma is present, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible due to the risk of malignant transformation.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Why do benign teratomas recur?

Benign teratomas, although not aggressive or metastatic, do not require adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after curative surgery to fight the tumor. However, many benign teratomas recur after surgery and require further surgical treatment. The cause of benign teratoma recurrence is considered to be due to the persistent presence of oncogenic factors. Therefore, benign tumors can also recur, since the exact cause and pathogenesis of benign teratomas are still unclear clinically. Thus, prevention from an etiological perspective is not possible, and the only option is timely surgical removal upon tumor detection to prevent the benign teratoma from becoming malignant. For patients with benign teratomas, regular follow-up is necessary after curative surgery to monitor any changes in the condition. If signs of recurrence are detected, prompt intervention is necessary to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.