Will benign teratoma affect life expectancy?

Teratomas originate from the reproductive cells of the ovaries. One type is a cystic mature teratoma, which is benign. Another type is a malignant teratoma, which contains malignant components. So does a benign teratoma affect a person's lifespan?

Benign teratomas can contain many components, including skin, hair, teeth, bones, and nerve tissue. If a part of the nerve tissue is not fully developed, it will turn into a malignant teratoma. This teratoma is more malignant, but the prognosis after treatment is better.

Teratomas may present with various clinical symptoms and manifestations due to their different locations, multiple complications, and obvious malignant tendencies:

①Painless mass

②Compression and cavity obstruction symptoms

③Acute symptoms of abnormal tumor changes

④Symptoms of tumor malignancy

Once a teratoma is diagnosed, early surgical resection is necessary to prevent benign teratoma from becoming malignant due to delayed surgery, and to prevent infection, rupture, bleeding and complications. The key point of teratoma surgery is to completely remove the tumor. For ovarian and testicular tumors, one ovary or testicle should be removed. For sacrococcygeal teratoma, the coccyx must be removed at the same time to avoid residual pluripotent cells that may cause tumor recurrence.

Benign teratomas may also become malignant. Unlike immature teratomas, the malignant transformation of benign teratomas has nothing to do with the differentiation of germ cells, but rather the transformation of benign cells into cancer cells, such as squamous cell carcinoma. However, both benign malignant transformation and malignant immature teratomas have the possibility of implantation and metastasis, endangering the life and health of patients. Malignant transformation of benign ovarian teratomas often occurs in women who are about to enter menopause or have already entered menopause. Although the probability is only 2%-3%, it should be taken seriously and treated in time. Malignant immature teratomas mainly occur in young women and adolescents.