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An ovarian teratoma is a tumor that can contain various tissue types, including skin, hair, and teeth. It can be benign or malignant and may cause symptoms such as abdominal cramps, uterine bleeding, and infertility. In some cases, it can cause ovarian torsion, a medical emergency that requires surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a common treatment option, and pathology reports can determine if chemotherapy or radiation is necessary. Patients concerned about future fertility should discuss their options with a doctor.
An ovarian teratoma is a tumor that develops from one of the germ cells of the ovary. Germ cells are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into a number of different cell types. This unique trait means that an ovarian teratoma is usually a jumble of tissue types including skin, hair and teeth, rather than made up of a single uniform cell type. The tumor can be benign or malignant in nature.
The term “teratoma” means “monstrous” or “terrible” tumor, a reference to the uncanny combination of tissue types found in tumors of this nature. An ovarian teratoma usually begins to develop by the time the patient reaches reproductive age and is the result of abnormalities with one or more ovarian germ cells. The patient may experience symptoms such as abdominal cramps, uterine bleeding and infertility due to the tumor.
In some cases, the tumor grows large enough to cause ovarian torsion. In this medical emergency, the ovary becomes twisted on its stalk, cutting off the blood supply to the ovary. Patients experience acute pain and may be at risk for serious complications including abdominal infections and infertility. If the patient is not treated, she may develop high fever, confusion and coma. Treatment in this case is emergency surgery to remove the growth and address the twist. The surgeon will save the ovary if possible.
If a doctor suspects ovarian teratoma, they usually order some blood tests to check for tumor markers and may order medical imaging studies of the pelvis to see if any abnormalities are visible. In case a tumor is present, the treatment recommendation is usually surgery to remove the growth. Laparoscopic surgery is usually an option, allowing the surgeon to make several small incisions to access the site, remove the tumor, check for signs of metastases, and then close the surgical wounds. Recovery times are much quicker with this approach and patients will experience less pain and scarring.
A mature teratoma, also known as a dermoid cyst, is usually benign, while an immature teratoma can be malignant. Doctors may request pathology reports on samples of the tumor to learn more and determine whether chemotherapy and radiation are needed. Patients with a diagnosis of ovarian teratoma and concerns about future fertility can discuss them with a doctor, as these concerns can influence treatment recommendations and the best options for the patient’s needs.
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