Does teratoma require surgery?

Teratoma is a tumor that is relatively difficult to detect. It is a congenital disease, but patients generally do not have obvious symptoms when they are young. As the human body continues to develop, the teratoma will continue to grow until it reaches a certain stage, when it will manifest itself and the patient's body will experience various adverse reactions. Teratoma requires specific examination in the hospital. So, does a teratoma require surgery?

1. What is teratoma?

Teratoma is a congenital tumor that is mostly caused by the ectopic development of some multipolar differentiated cells during embryonic development. It contains three germ layers of tissue, and various tissues and cells can be seen histologically. There are two types: dermoid cysts (cystic teratomas) and teratomas. The tumor may become malignant, such as a teratoma.

2. Clinical manifestations

The tumor is usually found in young or middle-aged people and may have no obvious clinical symptoms. When the tumor is large, corresponding compression symptoms may occur. Malignant teratoma is a rapidly growing mass with obvious symptoms. Imaging manifestations: Tumors mostly occur in the anterior mediastinum, often grow unilaterally, and vary in size.

3. Differential diagnosis method

CT is the best method for diagnosing teratoma. The wall of cystic teratoma is thin, with soft tissue density and may be calcified. The density of the fluid in the cyst is generally uniform. It has water-like density, and has low density when it contains more lipids. Solid teratomas are polymorphic and have mixed densities. Clinical diagnosis is generally not difficult. However, diagnosis is somewhat difficult when the presentation is atypical or the location is in the middle and posterior mediastinum. The differential diagnosis mainly includes thymolipoma, thymoma, thymic lymphangioma, hamartoma, and neurogenic tumor. If the tumor has increased significantly in size recently, has unclear margins, is lobed or irregular in shape, and has uniform soft tissue density within the tumor, malignancy should be considered.

4. Methods of treating teratoma

It is advisable to perform surgery as soon as possible after the teratoma is diagnosed. Tumor anti-cancer detection can be done. If pathological examination is required, you should apply for frozen sections to avoid a second surgery. Pregnancy is possible once normal ovarian function is restored after surgery.