Is teratoma life-threatening?

Teratomas can be life-threatening, especially if they are malignant or cause complications, and require medical attention as soon as possible. Teratomas are classified as benign or malignant according to their nature, and the specific degree of harm is related to their size, location, growth rate and pathological properties. Early detection and intervention such as surgery can usually greatly reduce the risk.

1. What is teratoma?

Teratoma is a congenital tumor that originates from embryonic cells. Its tissue structure may contain a variety of components such as hair, teeth, and bones. It is commonly found in the ovaries, testicles, sacrum, and other locations. Most teratomas are benign, but they may also develop into malignant tumors, especially in the gonads or tumors deeper in the body, where the malignancy rate is higher.

2. Harm and impact of teratoma

① Compression of surrounding tissues: When the teratoma grows to a certain size, it will cause compression to the surrounding organs. For example, ovarian teratoma can cause abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and even cause ovarian torsion; sacrococcygeal tumors may interfere with the function of the rectum and urinary tract.

② Malignant lesions: Malignant teratomas grow rapidly and may metastasize to distant sites, which is life-threatening. Ovarian malignant teratomas and mediastinal malignant teratomas are the more common types.

③ Risk of complications: Some teratomas may rupture, become infected, or cause bleeding. These situations can cause acute symptoms such as severe pain, fever, and decreased blood pressure, which require immediate treatment.

④ Impact on pregnancy: If female gonad tumors are not treated in time, they may affect ovarian function and cause obstacles to future pregnancy.

3. How to treat teratoma?

①Surgery: This is the main method for treating teratomas, especially for larger or malignant tumors. For example, ovarian teratomas are usually removed by laparoscopic surgery; giant teratomas in the sacrococcygeal region may require complex open surgery; if they are malignant, the surrounding tissue of the tumor must be removed at the same time.

② Chemotherapy: For malignant teratomas, combined chemotherapy may be needed after surgery to prevent metastasis and recurrence. Drugs such as cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin can be selected.

③Regular follow-up: Benign teratomas still require regular follow-up visits after surgery to be alert to the presence of residual tumors or recurrences; for malignant teratomas, it is recommended to evaluate blood tumor markers and imaging examinations every 3 to 6 months.

Whether a teratoma is life-threatening is closely related to its nature, early diagnosis and treatment. For those diagnosed with teratoma, it is critical to evaluate the condition as soon as possible and receive formal medical intervention. After tumor resection, paying full attention to postoperative rehabilitation and health management can further improve the quality of life and life safety.