Do ovarian teratomas hurt?

Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on September 01, 2024

00:00

00:00

Ovarian teratomas do not cause abdominal pain under normal conditions. However, if a patient engages in vigorous activities, it can lead to a torsion of the ovarian teratoma. The torsion of the teratoma can drag the ovary to twist along with it, consequently affecting the blood supply to the adnexa on the affected side, leading to ischemic necrosis of the adnexa, and thus causing a sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain on one side. In such abnormal situations, the ovarian teratoma can indeed cause lower abdominal pain.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 22sec

home-news-image

How to Determine if a Teratoma is Benign

Teratomas in women are classified into benign and malignant categories. Benign teratomas typically have a complete capsule and grow very slowly. Some women find that the size of the teratoma does not change significantly during follow-up exams. Malignant teratomas, however, grow quickly and can present severe clinical symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and pelvic masses, with some women also experiencing fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, blood tests for gynecological tumor markers can also be used for differentiation. For example, in malignant tumors, markers such as CA-125, CA-199, and alpha-fetoprotein are elevated to varying degrees, particularly alpha-fetoprotein. During a CT scan, malignant teratomas may show unclear borders, potentially indicating invasion into the surrounding tissues. Additionally, after surgical removal of the tumor, pathological histological examination can be conducted for further differentiation. For instance, malignant teratomas tend to have a higher proportion of immature components.

home-news-image

Written by Hou Jie

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 5sec

home-news-image

Teratoma Benign and Malignant Differences

Teratoma refers to a common type of germ cell tumor, which can be classified into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas are benign tumors, accounting for 10%-20% of ovarian tumors. They can occur at any age but are more common between the ages of 20 and 40. Most are unilateral, of moderate size, and usually have a single compartment filled with sebum and hair; sometimes teeth and bone can also be found. Immature teratomas, on the other hand, are malignant tumors, making up 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas. These are more frequent in younger patients, with an average age of 11 to 19 years. The ovaries are predominantly solid but may include cystic areas, primarily consisting of primitive neural tissue. The malignancy level of the ovary depends on the proportion of immature tissue, the degree of differentiation, and the content of neuroepithelial tissue.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 2sec

home-news-image

How is an ovarian teratoma caused?

The majority of the causes of ovarian teratomas stem from embryonic development, generally due to congenital factors leading to the formation of ovarian teratomas. A well-developed teratoma forms a complete teratoma, while poor development results in an incomplete teratoma, which typically exhibits a higher degree of malignancy. Most teratomas are benign tumors, with only a very small percentage showing tendencies to become malignant. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratomas to seek surgery at a hospital as soon as possible, and post-surgery, the removed tissue should be re-examined pathologically to check for any abnormalities. Hence, patients with ovarian teratomas must actively seek medical treatment at a hospital and, after recovery, prevent recurrence by undergoing regular medical check-ups annually, thus ensuring proactive treatment for those with teratomas.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

1min 7sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

46sec

home-news-image

Can one have sexual intercourse with a teratoma?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst located within the abdominal cavity. Generally, the presence of a teratoma does not affect the patient's ability to have a normal sexual life. However, it is advised not to engage in overly vigorous sexual activity, as intense sexual activity can cause torsion of the ovarian cyst in the abdominal cavity. Once torsion of the ovarian teratoma occurs, it can lead to torsion of both the fallopian tube and the ovary on the affected side. Following torsion, the twisted fallopian tube and ovary lack blood supply, which can further lead to ischemia and necrosis. In such cases, it becomes necessary to surgically remove the affected fallopian tube and ovary.