What is an ovarian teratoma? All details here

Ovarian teratoma is one of the female gynecological diseases. It is more common in women of childbearing age. It is generally divided into benign and malignant types, which have a great impact on women's health and life. Let us take a detailed look at it below.

What is ovarian teratoma

Ovarian teratoma is a common ovarian germ cell tumor. It is common in women of childbearing age. It accounts for about 15% of the total number of primary ovarian tumors, of which 95%-98% are benign mature teratomas and only 2%-5% are malignant teratomas. Mature cystic teratomas mostly occur in women of childbearing age around 30 years old. The clinical symptoms are nonspecific, the main manifestation is a pelvic mass, which is discovered incidentally in 25% of patients, and 10% of patients experience acute abdominal pain due to tumor rupture, torsion or bleeding.

Ovarian teratoma types

According to the pathological histological type, it is divided into mature teratoma, immature teratoma and ovarian goiter, etc. The most common type of mature teratoma is mature cystic teratoma, also known as dermoid cyst. Immature teratomas have malignant biological behavior.

Pathogenesis of ovarian teratoma

1. Theory of parthenogenesis

Primordial germ cells that are stimulated by parthenogenesis through typical cleavage are the most common cause of immature teratomas.

2. Totipotent cell theory

Early studies believed that teratomas originated from primitive abnormal tissues in the early stages of embryonic development and had the ability to self-differentiate. These remaining "totipotent cells" experience uncoordinated growth and abnormal embryonic development, thus becoming detached from the whole and causing disordered differentiation and excessive proliferation, ultimately forming a teratoma.

3. Etiology and pathology of ovarian teratoma

Ovarian teratomas are usually composed of 2-3 germ layers. Mature cystic teratoma has a smooth surface, intact capsule, and is about 10 cm in diameter. The cyst contains sebum and hair, and sometimes the head composed of teeth, bones and scalp can be seen, and the head is characterized by protruding into the cavity.