Understanding what is teratoma

Teratoma is a common type of ovarian germ cell tumor. It originates from germ cells and is divided into mature teratoma (i.e. benign teratoma) and immature teratoma (malignant teratoma). Benign teratoma contains many kinds of components, including skin, hair, teeth, bones, oil, nerve tissue, etc.; malignant teratoma is poorly differentiated, with little or no formed tissue and unclear structure. Early teratoma has no obvious clinical symptoms and is mostly discovered accidentally during physical examination.

There are many types of teratomas:

1. Intracranial teratoma

Because intracranial teratomas are usually located in the midline, there are often no obvious signs of brain localization. Most patients have increased intracranial pressure as the first symptom, manifested as headache, nausea, vomiting, and ophthalmological examination shows bilateral papilledema. Teratomas located in the pineal region may cause binocular inability to look up, ataxia, precocious puberty, cranial nerve palsy, etc. Those in the sellar region may experience diabetes insipidus, drowsiness, visual field disorders, and water and fat metabolism disorders. Those in the posterior cranial fossa may experience cerebellar function damage and neck stiffness. Those in the cerebellopontine angle may experience headache, vomiting, diplopia, ataxia, deafness, tremor, cranial nerve damage, etc.

2. Gastric teratoma

The main clinical manifestations are abdominal mass, mostly in the left upper abdomen, abdominal distension, vomiting, hematemesis and/or black stools, dyspnea, and anemia. In newborns or infants, upper abdominal mass and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (commonly seen in intermittent black stools) are the main clinical manifestations.

3. Testicular teratoma

The high-incidence age of testicular teratoma can be divided into two age groups: children and adults. The high-incidence age of testicular teratoma in children is 1 to 2 years old, and the high-incidence age of testicular teratoma in adults is 25 to 35 years old. The vast majority of patients present with a painless testicular mass that is hard, nodular or irregular.

4. Ovarian teratoma

The disease has a high incidence of metastasis. The metastasis spreads along the peritoneum. Common metastatic sites include the pelvic and abdominal peritoneum, greater omentum, liver surface, diaphragm, intestines and mesentery. Most metastatic lesions are surface implants. Lymph node metastasis is not uncommon.

5. Sacrococcygeal teratoma, etc.

Sacrococcygeal teratomas vary in size. Patients often have difficulty urinating and defecating. Sometimes, the buttocks may be swollen and there may be a mass in the sacrococcygeal region. Since the tumors often grow to one side, toward the buttocks, the buttocks often appear asymmetrical. Sometimes the tumor bulges out from the perineum. Those with rectal compression or involvement may have constipation or fecal incontinence. Those with huge tumors may have an impact on their mother's delivery. Presacral masses may be palpated during rectal examination. Malignant teratomas grow rapidly, with progressive constipation and difficulty urinating.