Early symptoms of female teratoma

Intraspinal embryonic tissue ectopic tumors develop from the remaining germ layer cells during embryonic development. Depending on the tissue structure, they can be divided into epidermoid cysts, dermoid cysts, teratoid cysts and teratomas. The first two are formed by ectoderm tissue, teratoma contains 3 germ layer structures, and teratoid cysts contain 2 germ layer structures. So, what are the early symptoms of teratoma in women?

During the early development of the human embryo, there is a pluripotent cell with the potential for pluripotent development. Under normal embryonic development, it develops and differentiates into mature cells of each germ layer. If at different stages of the embryo, some pluripotent cells separate or fall off from the whole, causing the cell genes to mutate and differentiation to become abnormal, embryonic abnormalities may occur.
Teratomas originate from potentially multifunctional primitive embryonic cells and are mostly benign, but their malignant tendency increases with age. The site of occurrence is related to the midline anterior axis or midline paracentral area of ​​the embryological body cavity, and is often seen in the sacral and coccygeal region, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and gonadal region. They are more common in newborns and infants, and are more common in women. Once a teratoma is diagnosed, early surgical resection must be performed to avoid future complications.
Teratoma is a tumor derived from germ cells with multidirectional differentiation potential. It often contains various tissue components from the three germ layers with disordered arrangement structure. According to its appearance, it can be divided into cystic and solid types. According to the different degrees of tissue differentiation and maturity, it can be divided into benign teratoma and malignant teratoma. This tumor most commonly occurs in the ovaries and testicles, and can occasionally be seen in the mediastinum, sacrum, peritoneum, pineal gland, etc.

Teratoma symptoms

1. Intracranial teratoma

Since 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 examinations show 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.