Are teratomas mostly benign?

Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

Ovarian teratomas belong to the category of germ cell tumors, which are divided into mature teratomas and immature teratomas. Immature teratomas are malignant and account for 1%-3% of ovarian teratomas, thus they occur relatively less frequently. These are more commonly found in young patients, with an average age of 11-19 years. Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign and can account for 10%-20% of ovarian tumors and 85%-97% of germ cell tumors, comprising over 95% of ovarian teratomas. These can occur at any age, but are most common between 20-40 years, often unilateral, and may contain components such as fats, hair, and sometimes teeth and bone tissues. Thus, the majority of mature teratomas are benign tumors.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
54sec home-news-image

How long after laparoscopic surgery for a teratoma can one have sexual intercourse?

Teratomas are predominantly benign tumors, mainly located in the ovaries, although in some patients with unique physical constitutions, ovarian tissues may also ectopically end up in the pelvic area, forming a pelvic teratoma. Whether it is an ovarian teratoma or a pelvic teratoma, the scope of the surgery is typically medium-sized. If the surgery is an open operation, it is classified as a second-level surgery, and if it is performed using laparoscopy, it should be classified as a third-level surgery. Both second and third-level surgeries fall under the medium-sized category, and patients usually recover quite quickly after the operation. Typically, we advise patients to refrain from sexual intercourse, pelvic baths, and to avoid heavy physical labor within a month post-operation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
29sec home-news-image

Does teratoma require blood tests?

If a patient with a teratoma needs to undergo a blood test, the blood test may include routine blood work and blood biochemistry, as well as tumor marker tests such as CA125 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to check for any abnormal increases. If surgery is required for the patient, there might be additional blood tests conducted, including lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and infection and immunity tests. All these require blood draws for the examination.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Why do benign teratomas recur?

Benign teratomas, although not aggressive or metastatic, do not require adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after curative surgery to fight the tumor. However, many benign teratomas recur after surgery and require further surgical treatment. The cause of benign teratoma recurrence is considered to be due to the persistent presence of oncogenic factors. Therefore, benign tumors can also recur, since the exact cause and pathogenesis of benign teratomas are still unclear clinically. Thus, prevention from an etiological perspective is not possible, and the only option is timely surgical removal upon tumor detection to prevent the benign teratoma from becoming malignant. For patients with benign teratomas, regular follow-up is necessary after curative surgery to monitor any changes in the condition. If signs of recurrence are detected, prompt intervention is necessary to prevent malignancy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 6sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 2sec home-news-image

How is an ovarian teratoma caused?

The majority of the causes of ovarian teratomas stem from embryonic development, generally due to congenital factors leading to the formation of ovarian teratomas. A well-developed teratoma forms a complete teratoma, while poor development results in an incomplete teratoma, which typically exhibits a higher degree of malignancy. Most teratomas are benign tumors, with only a very small percentage showing tendencies to become malignant. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with teratomas to seek surgery at a hospital as soon as possible, and post-surgery, the removed tissue should be re-examined pathologically to check for any abnormalities. Hence, patients with ovarian teratomas must actively seek medical treatment at a hospital and, after recovery, prevent recurrence by undergoing regular medical check-ups annually, thus ensuring proactive treatment for those with teratomas.