Do teratomas hurt?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 04, 2024
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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.

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Written by Fan Li Ping
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can ovarian teratomas become cancerous?

Most ovarian teratomas are a type of benign tumor on the ovaries, but a few may become malignant. Therefore, if an ultrasound suggests an ovarian teratoma and it is relatively small, around two to three centimeters, without any symptoms, we can temporarily observe it. However, the condition is that we should test for tumor markers, such as checking if there are significant increases in CA-125 or AFP, to see if there's a tendency for malignancy. Another condition is that regular follow-up examinations are essential. If there's a sudden increase in size in a short period or a continuous growth, it is advisable to consider surgical treatment, as early surgical intervention tends to have better outcomes.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How should a teratoma be treated?

In gynecology, a teratoma refers to an ovarian teratoma. The surgical procedure for an ovarian teratoma is tumor excision. Therefore, immediate surgery is required once an ovarian teratoma is diagnosed. During an ultrasound, only the ovarian tumor can be seen, but its nature cannot be determined. Typically, a rapid pathological examination is needed during surgery. If the pathology results still indicate a mature teratoma, it is a benign tumor, and surgical removal is sufficient. Therefore, once discovered, surgical treatment is necessary because if the teratoma grows larger, it can damage the ovaries, potentially causing infertility or reduced ovarian function.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can women with ovarian teratomas have children?

Ovarian teratomas, if discovered after pregnancy, do not significantly impact the child; however, it's crucial to confirm that the ovarian teratoma is benign. If detected during pregnancy, close observation is possible, and sudden lower abdominal pain may indicate ovarian torsion, which requires timely surgical intervention. If there are no symptoms, surgery can wait until after the child is born. If an ovarian teratoma is discovered before pregnancy, it is advisable to undergo surgery before becoming pregnant because ovarian teratomas can sometimes be malignant, and torsion may occur during pregnancy, which could affect the child.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
54sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can I go back to work?

Ovarian teratoma surgery generally requires at least one month of rest. Afterward, the timing to return to work should depend on one's personal health status and recovery condition. It also depends on the physical demands of the job, as everyone's situation is different. Ovarian teratoma surgery usually involves minimally invasive procedures, which generally allow for a faster recovery; most people can return to work after about a month. Only a minority of patients undergo open surgery, or some individuals who are in poorer health might need to rest for up to three months post-surgery.