Does teratoma require surgery?

Congenital diseases are still too scary for humans. Some babies are even sent directly to the intensive care unit from the moment they are born and die not long after. This is really a huge blow to their parents. This means that during pregnancy, regular check-ups are definitely necessary. Once any problems are found, the pregnancy can be terminated immediately to avoid future problems. Does teratoma require surgery?

Teratoma is a congenital tumor that is mostly caused by the ectopic development of some multipolar differentiated cells during embryonic development. It contains three germ layers of tissue, and various tissues and cells can be seen histologically. It can be divided into two categories: dermoid cysts (cystic teratomas) and teratomas. The tumor may become malignant, such as a teratoma. The tumor is usually found in young or middle-aged people and may have no obvious clinical symptoms. When the tumor is large, corresponding compression symptoms may occur. Malignant teratoma is a rapidly growing mass with obvious symptoms. Imaging manifestations: Tumors mostly occur in the anterior mediastinum, often grow unilaterally, and vary in size. CT is the best method for diagnosing teratoma. The wall of cystic teratoma is thin, with soft tissue density and may be calcified. The density of the fluid in the cyst is generally uniform. It has water-like density, and has low density when it contains more lipids. Solid teratomas are polymorphic and have mixed densities. Clinical diagnosis is generally not difficult. However, diagnosis is somewhat difficult when the presentation is atypical or the location is in the middle and posterior mediastinum. The differential diagnosis mainly includes thymolipoma, thymoma, thymic lymphangioma, hamartoma, and neurogenic tumor. If the tumor has increased significantly in size recently, has unclear margins, is lobed or irregular in shape, and has uniform soft tissue density within the tumor, malignancy should be considered.

Teratomas have nothing to do with eggs or pregnancy.

Treatment of teratoma

1. You can also do tumor anti-cancer detection. If you need pathological examination, you should apply for frozen sections to avoid secondary surgery.

2 Pregnancy is possible as long as normal ovarian function is restored after the operation. It is advisable to perform surgery as soon as possible after the teratoma is diagnosed.

3. Teratomas can be divided into benign and malignant ones, but malignant teratomas are different from other ovarian malignant tumors. Teratomas are formed by another embryo during fetal development and do not belong to the patient's own tissue. Neither benign nor malignant represents the nature of the patient's own ovarian tissue. As long as the operation is delicate and the technique is skilled, the teratoma can be completely separated and the patient's own ovarian tissue can be retained. Therefore, regardless of whether the teratoma is benign or malignant, there is no need to remove the ovaries. Open surgery has a narrow field of view and is difficult to operate due to the limitation of the incision. It is often not easy to remove the teratoma tissue cleanly. Laparoscopic surgery has a wide field of view and a magnifying effect. The ovary where the teratoma is located is placed in a plastic bag, and the teratoma tissue can be completely removed without contaminating the abdominal cavity. At the same time, it is convenient to explore the contralateral ovary (more than 50% of teratomas are bilateral and occur successively). Therefore, teratoma surgery does not require open surgery. If the surgical consent form states that there is a possibility of conversion to laparotomy or that ovarian removal is required for malignant teratoma, do not sign it. This means that the hospital is not proficient in laparoscopic technology and does not have a full understanding of malignant teratoma. Once the ovaries are removed, the patient quickly enters menopause, and there is no turning back. It should be considered as overtreatment.