Why does a teratoma have hair?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 17, 2024
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Mature teratomas contain lipids, hair, and even bone and other tissue structures within the tumor cavity. The main reason for this is that teratomas are composed of cells from multiple embryonic layers. These embryonic layer cells can develop in different directions, further developing into tissues such as hair, lipids, or bones. Therefore, during surgical procedures, it is common to find hair within the teratoma.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What to do about teratoma pain in the lower abdomen?

Patients with teratomas experiencing lower abdominal pain require immediate attention. Due to the uneven texture of the teratoma itself, it can easily lead to torsion of the ovarian tumor pedicle as a result of changes in the patient's body position. Ovarian tumor pedicle torsion is a gynecological emergency requiring urgent surgical intervention. This is particularly crucial for young women who have not yet given birth, as early surgery can preserve the affected ovary, potentially improving future fertility chances. For older women, emergency surgery to relieve symptoms is also extremely important. Therefore, abdominal pain in patients with teratomas must be taken seriously.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why does a teratoma have hair?

Mature teratomas contain lipids, hair, and even bone and other tissue structures within the tumor cavity. The main reason for this is that teratomas are composed of cells from multiple embryonic layers. These embryonic layer cells can develop in different directions, further developing into tissues such as hair, lipids, or bones. Therefore, during surgical procedures, it is common to find hair within the teratoma.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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How long does it take to recover from a laparoscopic teratoma surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery for teratomas generally allows those with minor and less severe symptoms to recover back to normal within about one to two weeks. However, recovery takes longer for complex teratomas, especially those that involve the removal of parts of organs. In severe cases where sections of the intestine are removed, recovery can extend to three to four weeks or more. Therefore, the specific recovery time for treating teratomas with laparoscopy must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's specific condition. Moreover, after laparoscopic surgery for teratomas, it is essential to conduct further pathological examinations. Some malignant teratomas may require additional surgeries, and maybe even include chemotherapy or other treatment measures, potentially extending the recovery period.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Teratoma B-ultrasound manifestation

Teratomas are tumors that occur in germ cells and can develop in many parts of the body. For example, they can occur within the central nervous system, mediastinum, and pelvic cavity, with the latter being more common. On ultrasound, teratomas have typical features, mainly presenting as abnormal masses. These masses predominantly show mixed echogenicity, with strong echogenicity being more pronounced, appearing as strongly echogenic masses. The strong echogenicity primarily refers to contents including teeth, and also visible are areas of medium to low echogenicity, which are mainly composed of fat and hair. Benign teratomas have smooth borders, while malignant teratomas have irregular borders and are generally larger in size.