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 of the human body. Thus, it is very common that in the tumor arise hair, skin, teeth, nails and even fingers, for example.
Typically, this type of tumor is more common in the ovaries, in the case of women, and in the testicles, in men, but it can develop anywhere in the body.
In addition, in most cases the teratoma is benign and may not require treatment. However, in 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 the 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 where it is developing like:
- Swelling in some part of the body;
- Constant pain;
- Sensation of pressure in some part of the body.
In cases of malignant teratoma, the cancer can develop to nearby organs, causing a decrease in the functioning of these organs.
To confirm the diagnosis, a CT scan is necessary to identify if there is any foreign body mass in any part of the body, with specific characteristics that must be evaluated by the physician.
How is the treatment done?
The only form of treatment for teratoma is to have surgery to remove the tumor and keep it from growing, especially if it causes 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, it may still be necessary to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy 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 keep only observation of the tumor. In such cases, frequent examinations and consultations are necessary to assess the degree of development of the tumor. If it grows too large, surgery is recommended.
Why the teratoma
The teratoma arises from birth, being caused by a genetic mutation that happens during the development of the baby. 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, it is only parents to children. In addition, it is not common for it to appear in more than one body site
