What is a teratoma?

Teratoma is an ovarian germ cell tumor, which may be related to factors such as abnormal differentiation of germ cells during the embryonic period.

Teratoma is a very common type of ovarian germ cell tumor, mainly from germ cells, and can be divided into mature teratoma, i.e. benign teratoma, and immature teratoma, i.e. malignant teratoma. Teratoma contains three tissue components: human ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm, so there will be ectoderm tissues such as hair, oil, skin, teeth, bone pieces in the teratoma, and there may also be mesoderm or endoderm tissues, such as muscle, gastrointestinal tract, etc. Most mature teratomas come from single germ cells that fail in the second mature division, or from nuclear replication of mature eggs. Some immature teratomas can also be caused by the fusion of two eggs, with few nuclear abnormalities. Abnormal nuclei are most common in high-grade immature teratomas. Teratomas are generally prone to occur in young women in their twenties and thirties, and will gradually grow with age. The ovaries are the most common site from which to start.

Once a mature ovarian cystic teratoma is diagnosed, most cases require surgical treatment. If it is larger than 5 cm, immediate surgery is required. If it is small, regular observation and elective surgery are required.