Mature cystic teratoma (MCT), a benign tumour commonly called the dermoid cyst, is the most common type of ovarian germ cell tumours. Over 80% of cases present in reproductive periods, especially in women under the age of 40. Malignant transformation (MT) is a rare and the worst complication of MCT that occurs in 1–3% of cases, especially postmenopausal women. Nearly 80% of the histological type of malignant transformations is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), followed by adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumour, melanoma, and sarcoma.
Teratomas are rare tumours that may hold different types of tissue such as bone, teeth, muscle, and hair, and are not likely cancerous, but must be removed as soon as it is detected.
Mature teratomas can present in different ways. They may be:
- Solid – made of tissue, but not enclosed.
- Cystic – contained by a sac.
- Mixed – having both cystic and solid parts.
Mature teratomas are often found on ovaries, particularly in the ovaries of premenopausal women. The longer it remains inside your body, the more likely it may become cancerous. Germ cell ovarian tumours begin in the ovarian cells that develop into eggs (germ cells). They are rare and usually affect girls and young women up to their early 30s. Non cancerous (benign) teratomas are the most common type.
You must have surgery to remove the tumour.
Teratoma during pregnancy
Although they are not malignant, they tend to affect ovarian function and affect pregnancy development in the same way most growths (endometriomas, fibroids, cysts etc) tend to affect a pregnancy. Nutrition and blood-flow tends to partition to the teratoma, thus affecting the amount of nutrition that goes towards the pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriages, fetal demise or some form of physical abnormality within the fetus.
Symptoms
- pain in your tummy (abdomen) or lower part of your abdomen that doesn’t go away
- bloating or an increase in the size of your abdomen
- irregular periods
Diagnosis at Antai Hospital
- Abdominal computed tomography scan (CT scan)
- Blood test CA125
- Ultrasound
- PET scan
Treatment of Ovarian Teratomas in Antai Hospital
The ovarian tumour can be safely removed with the minimally invasive and Antai-specialised 3D-laparoscopic surgery. We do not conduct transabdominal surgery for the removal as it causes potential secondary damage, scarring and risk of postoperative adhesions. Patients will relieve the pressure, and can go on to have a healthy pregnancy upon full recovery.