Is surgery necessary for ovarian teratomas?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on January 27, 2025
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When dealing with ovarian teratomas, whether surgery is required depends on the nature and size of the teratoma and the clinical symptoms of the patient. Not all teratomas necessarily require surgical treatment. Ovarian teratomas are germ cell tumors that occur in the ovaries. They can be classified into benign and malignant teratomas. Benign teratomas are well differentiated, and the tumor body may contain tissues such as hair and teeth. Generally, smaller teratomas can be observed periodically, but if the teratoma is larger and causes a pelvic mass lesion, surgical treatment is necessary. Malignant teratomas definitely require surgical excision and treatment.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What to do about ovarian teratoma abdominal pain?

If a patient has an ovarian teratoma and also has abdominal pain, they should immediately visit a local hospital for a gynecological examination and a gynecological ultrasound. The main purpose is to confirm whether there is torsion of the ovarian teratoma. Once torsion of the ovarian teratoma occurs, it can cause ischemic necrosis of the ipsilateral fallopian tube and ovary, leading to severe consequences. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is detected, it is not advisable for the patient to continue observation treatment. Prompt surgery is key to avoiding pathological changes and complications.

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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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does teratoma affect the fetus?

Teratoma is a common benign ovarian tumor in women, and most teratomas do not affect the fetus. Since the majority of teratomas are smaller than 5cm, even under the stimulation of pregnancy, teratomas generally do not grow significantly large, and it is generally considered that small teratomas do not affect the fetus. However, if the teratoma is very large, more than 8cm, there is a risk of rupture and infection during pregnancy, which could potentially affect the fetus. For large teratomas during pregnancy, enhanced monitoring is necessary to avoid rupture and infection, in order to protect the fetus.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is a teratoma diagnosed?

Teratomas are mostly diagnosed through symptoms, such as abdominal pain or bloating, and are identified with an ultrasound examination. Generally, these two tests are used. Additionally, blood tests may be conducted, but there are no very specific tumor markers that will be revealed. The primary means of diagnosis still rely on ultrasound and gynecological palpation. If a woman of childbearing age experiences unexplained abdominal pain, feels bloated, or notices occasional increases in abdomen size, it is recommended to undergo a gynecological ultrasound examination at a hospital.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Teratoma Benign and Malignant Differences

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.