What are the symptoms of a teratoma?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

Patients with teratomas may have no clinical symptoms whatsoever. Some women only discover ovarian teratomas incidentally during gynecological ultrasound examinations at health check-ups. However, it is important to note that if ovarian teratomas develop complications, they can present a range of clinical symptoms. For example, if an ovarian teratoma undergoes torsion, the patient may experience lower abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Moreover, if the teratoma has malignant tendencies, it can exhibit a series of clinical manifestations typical of malignant tumors.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can a teratoma disappear with medication?

Ovarian teratomas cannot be treated with medication. Ovarian teratomas are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are categorized into mature and immature teratomas. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are mostly benign tumors. These cysts generally have a single chamber filled with sebum and hair, and sometimes teeth and bone material can also be found inside. On the other hand, immature teratomas are malignant tumors, making up 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas, commonly seen in younger patients with an average age between 11 and 19 years. Thus, it is crucial to seek prompt medical evaluation upon detection of an ovarian teratoma to determine the size of the cyst and, if necessary, pursue surgical treatment, as medication will not resolve the issue.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
54sec home-news-image

Does a teratoma affect pregnancy?

Teratomas can be classified into benign cystic teratomas and malignant teratomas. In most cases, teratomas are benign and do not affect future pregnancies. When a woman develops a teratoma, she can usually conceive normally about six months after surgical treatment, and most patients who undergo standard treatment can conceive naturally. When a teratoma is detected, it is first important to identify whether the teratoma is benign or malignant. After the surgical removal, further pathological examination is also necessary to make this determination. If the teratoma is benign in its early stages, the impact is not significant. However, if the teratoma continues to grow and presses on the fallopian tubes or ovaries, it may cause infertility, so timely treatment is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
34sec home-news-image

Can teratomas recur?

Teratomas can recur clinically, but the recurrence rate is relatively low. There are cases of ovarian teratoma recurrence after teratoma excision surgery. For recurrent teratomas after surgery, it is still recommended to undergo surgical removal again. With an increase in the number of surgeries, the probability of teratoma recurrence gradually decreases. It is recommended that patients who have undergone teratoma surgery undergo regular follow-up examinations.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
47sec home-news-image

Is a teratoma the same as a cyst?

Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst, and whether surgery is necessary depends on the specific conditions found during examination. Teratomas are related to congenital factors. It has been found that medication is ineffective in treating teratomas. If the teratoma is relatively small, regular check-ups can be sufficient. However, if it is growing rapidly, there is a possibility of malignant transformation, or if it is large enough to cause abdominal pain due to torsion, then surgery must be prepared for immediately. Ultimately, the nature of the teratoma is determined through pathological examination.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.