Teratoma is a tumor formed by several types of germ cells, that is, cells that, after developing, can give rise to different types of tissue in the human body. Thus, it is very common for hair, skin, teeth, nails and even fingers to appear in the tumor, for example.
Usually, this type of tumor is more frequent in the ovaries, in the case of women, and in the testicles, in men, however it can develop anywhere in the body.
In addition, in most cases the teratoma is benign and may not need treatment. However, in more rare cases, it can also present cancer cells, being considered a cancer and needing to be removed.
How to know if I have a teratoma
In most cases, teratoma does not present any type of symptom, being identified only through routine exams, such as computed tomography, ultrasound or x-ray.
However, when the teratoma is already very developed it can cause symptoms related to the place where it is developing, such as:
- Swelling in some part of the body; Constant pain; Feeling of pressure in some part of the body.
In cases of malignant teratoma, cancer can develop for the organs that are nearby, causing a decrease in the functioning of these organs.
To confirm the diagnosis, a CT scan is needed to identify whether there is any foreign mass in some part of the body, with specific characteristics that must be evaluated by the doctor.
How the treatment is done
The only form of treatment for teratoma is to have surgery to remove the tumor and keep it from growing, especially if it is causing symptoms. During this surgery, a sample of the cells is also taken to be sent to a laboratory, in order to assess whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
If the teratoma is malignant, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may still be necessary to ensure that all cancer cells are eliminated, preventing it from recurring.
In some cases, when the teratoma grows very slowly, the doctor may also choose to only observe the tumor. In such cases, frequent examinations and consultations are necessary to assess the degree of tumor development. If it increases a lot in size, surgery is recommended.
Why teratoma arises
Teratoma arises from birth, being caused by a genetic mutation that happens during the baby's development. However, this type of tumor grows very slowly and is often only identified during childhood or adulthood on a routine examination.
Although it is a genetic alteration, the teratoma is not hereditary and, therefore, is not passed from parents to children. In addition, it is not common for it to appear in more than one location on the body
