Teratoma Benign and Malignant Differences

Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 28, 2024
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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.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a teratoma pregnancy?

Teratoma is not a pregnancy; it is a type of ovarian tumor. Most of the time, this tumor is benign. It commonly occurs in individuals aged between 20 and 40 years. The formation of teratomas is generally due to poor differentiation during the embryonic stage, resulting in the development of this type of tumor. Very occasionally, teratomas can become malignant, which requires high vigilance. Most cases of malignancy are seen in young females aged between 11 and 19. Malignant teratomas are usually solid, but they can also have cystic areas.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of teratoma?

Ovarian teratomas can cause abdominal pain and might even result in sudden abdominal enlargement, often accompanied by symptoms like bloating. Women experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly. Ovarian teratomas are more commonly found in younger women, particularly during their reproductive years. Thus, female patients experiencing these symptoms should promptly undergo an ultrasound at a hospital to check for the presence of teratomas and also have a blood test for tumor markers. If a teratoma is present, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible due to the risk of malignant transformation.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can teratoma be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst. Whether a teratoma can be treated through minimally invasive surgery needs to be assessed based on the size of the teratoma. If the teratoma is of normal size, then it can be treated with laparoscopic teratoma surgery. However, if the teratoma is excessively large, such a large teratoma will occupy most of the volume of the pelvic abdomen. In this case, it is not possible to perform minimally invasive surgery. Therefore, further evaluation is needed before performing teratoma surgery to determine if it is suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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Is ovarian teratoma a major surgery?

Generally, ovarian teratomas are considered major surgeries and are closely related to the nature of the teratomas. These are common major gynecological surgeries. It is recommended to visit the obstetrics and gynecology department for comprehensive examinations and a full-body assessment. Additionally, procedures such as biopsy are needed to determine the nature of the tumor, after which an appropriate treatment plan can be chosen. Options generally include open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, both of which are relatively major procedures.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.