Do ovarian teratomas hurt?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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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.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Is it easy to get pregnant with a teratoma?

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 Wang Jing Hua
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Does a teratoma require immediate surgery?

Not all teratomas require immediate surgery. If a teratoma is found to be relatively small in size, many people can have it remain stable for a long time without significant changes, therefore periodic monitoring is possible. However, if a teratoma shows a rapid increase in size, or if it is already very large with the potential for torsion, or if there is a possibility of rupture or malignant transformation, or if the teratoma has endocrine activity, then immediate surgery may be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Does teratoma affect menstruation?

Teratoma, under normal circumstances, does not affect menstruation, but it does affect fertility. If it is confirmed that one side has a teratoma, surgery is generally required. After treatment, the ovary on that side is typically removed. Once removed, that ovary will no longer ovulate, and ovulation must occur from the other ovary. The maintenance of hormone levels in the body needs to be supported by the other ovary. If the function of the other ovary is normal, menstruation will continue to occur normally; it will not affect menstruation. However, if after the removal of the teratoma, one ovary is removed, the chance of conception is reduced by half compared to others. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratoma to undergo surgery as early as possible. After the surgery, if the pathology shows no issues and if it is a simple teratoma removal, it does not affect menstruation.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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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.