Symptoms of ovarian teratoma

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 21, 2025
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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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How long after minimally invasive teratoma surgery can one take a bath?

After minimally invasive surgery for a teratoma, one can generally take a bath three to seven days later; many people simply find it difficult to accept this. Minimally invasive surgery involves only a few small incisions in the abdominal wall. Such wounds, generally after 48 hours, as long as there is no redness, no secretion discharge, and they remain relatively dry, are not likely to be penetrated by water or a small amount of bacteria during bathing. As long as one takes a shower and avoids sitting baths, there wouldn't be complications concerning the vagina or cervix, etc. It is only necessary to avoid cold water temperatures, exposure to wind, and fatigue.

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Can ovarian teratomas be treated with Chinese medicine?

Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Firstly, ovarian teratomas are categorized as germ cell tumors and are divided into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign tumors. The cysts may contain hair, teeth, and some bony material. Immature teratomas, on the other hand, are malignant tumors that make up 1% to 3% of ovarian teratomas and are more common in younger patients aged 11 to 19 years. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is suspected, it is necessary to promptly visit a hospital for further examinations to determine the nature of the cyst, and then, based on the examination results, appropriately handle it with timely surgical intervention.