What causes teratoma

Teratoma is a common germ cell tumor that originates from the primordial germ cells of the embryonic gland. Common causes of teratoma include genetic factors, germ cell abnormalities, external factors, ectopic pregnancy ectoderm tissue, and abnormal embryonic development.

1. Genetic factors:

Teratoma may be related to genetic factors, such as congenitally low number of germ cells, leading to follicular atresia, resulting in X chromosome abnormalities and teratoma.

2. Germ cell abnormalities:

If the germ cells are abnormal in the complex growth, differentiation and maturation process, a teratoma may be formed. Its benignity and malignancy can be determined according to the degree of maturity of the cells in the teratoma. If most of them are differentiated and mature, it is benign, otherwise it is malignant.

3. External factors:

The influence of external factors such as radiation can trigger gene mutations and promote the occurrence of teratomas. Improper medical surgery may also cause the teratoma to fall off and spread to other parts, further leading to the formation of multiple teratomas.

4. Ectopic ectodermal tissue during pregnancy:

Another possible cause of teratoma is ectopic ectodermal tissue during pregnancy, which means that some tissues in the developing embryo grow and differentiate at the wrong time or location. These ectodermal tissues can form cysts in the peritoneum or other organs, manifesting as teratomas.

5. Abnormal embryonic development:

Teratoma is usually caused by abnormal embryonic development because it is a mature tumor that includes various mature tissue types, such as bone, muscle, skin, etc. These tissues should be differentiated into different cell types under normal circumstances, but in teratoma, they do not differentiate but are mixed in one tissue.

Mature teratomas have the risk of malignant changes, and immature teratomas are malignant tumors themselves, which seriously threaten women's lives and health. If a patient accidentally finds an abdominal mass or ovarian teratoma during a physical examination, they need to go to the hospital as soon as possible for a clear diagnosis.