Overview of basic knowledge of teratoma

Teratomas are tumors derived from germ cells with multidirectional differentiation potential, often containing a variety of tissue components from the three germ layers, with disordered arrangement structures. According to their appearance, they can be divided into cystic and solid types; according to the degree of differentiation and maturity of their tissues, they can be divided into benign teratomas and malignant teratomas. This tumor most often occurs in the ovaries and testicles. It can occasionally be seen in the mediastinum, sacrum, peritoneum, pineal gland and other parts.

Teratomas are relatively rare, and the incidence rate itself is not high. They are also scattered in various specialist diagnosis and treatment. Teratomas seen in general surgery are mainly located in the sacrococcygeal region and retroperitoneum. Most of them are benign, but if they grow in the testicles, they are mostly malignant. Teratomas can occur in the ovaries, testicles, retroperitoneum, anterior mediastinum, sacrococcygeal region, skull base, etc. Sacrococcygeal teratomas can be seen in newborns, and retroperitoneal teratomas can be seen in newborns. Some are discovered during development, and a few are discovered after malignant transformation.

It is generally believed that teratomas are mostly formed in the early stage of individual development, when some pluripotent teratomas break out and proliferate in the mediastinum to develop into tumors. This type of tumor is mostly benign teratomas. They are often located in the anterior mediastinum. Teratomas are mostly solid, and there may be cysts of varying sizes, containing derivatives of ectodermal, mesodermal or endodermal tissues such as hair, teeth, cartilage, smooth muscle, bronchial or intestinal wall.

Some teratomas can become malignant. Teratomas composed of undifferentiated mature tissues are malignant and grow in an invasive manner. Teratomas adhere to adjacent tissues or penetrate into adjacent organs such as the lungs and bronchi. Patients may cough up hair or sebum. Dermoid cysts are single-chamber or multi-chamber thin-walled cysts, named because the cysts are lined with fish epithelium and its appendages. There are nodules, hair and sebum in the cysts.