Today, women are increasingly faced with problems of the reproductive system of the body. Ovarian teratoma is one of them. At the same time, representatives of the weaker sex of any age category are subject to an unpleasant ailment.
This disease is often overlooked due to the fact that there is not much information about teratoma that could facilitate the diagnosis of pathology. However, some data can still help to avoid this dangerous disease.
General information
Ovary teratoma is a tumor distinguished by its complex structure. The fact is that it can consist of several so-called germ layers at once. It is believed that this pathology develops due to the influence of the epithelium of the germ cells of a woman. If there was a violation of growth and a trophoblast developed, then in this case a benign neoplasm may appear. Under these conditions, various types of ovarian tumors are formed, including teratoma.
Initially, this neoplasm appears in the ovaries, but it is possible that it can also appear in the retroperitoneal zone or even the ventricular brain. In rare casestumors of this type appear in the nasal or oral cavities.
Ovarian teratoma: causes of formation
If we talk about disorders associated with the embryonic development of the reproductive system of the fair sex, then today there is no exact definition of the signs due to which such a problem can develop.
But scientists are inclined to believe that certain disorders associated with the natural separation of the germ layers can cause ovarian teratoma. This leads to the fact that small particles of ectoderm remain in the ovary itself (or both at once), which are responsible for the formation of fragments of the skin and bones.
Since there are no more accurate data, when this pathology is detected, surgical removal of ovarian teratoma is almost always recommended.
Symptoms
With the primary development of this disease, there are no obvious symptoms, which is the main danger of pathology. With clinical manifestations of the tumor, one can speak only of large tumor sizes. As a rule, when an ovarian teratoma becomes very large, this leads to a lot of pressure on the nearest organs.
Hormonal changes do not occur in a woman's body, since the appearance of a tumor does not affect this parameter. But according to statistics, the most common cases are when an increase in neoplasm occurs during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Most often, ovarian teratoma does not manifest itself. Because of this, it is called a "silent" tumor. Firstwarning signs may appear when the size of the teratoma is more than 8-10 cm.
If we talk about possible symptoms, then some patients complain of an unpleasant feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, which periodically disappears and returns again. Also, one of the manifestations of the disease can be attributed to a violation of urination and defecation (frequent constipation). Ladies with an asthenic physique note a rather noticeable increase in the abdominal cavity.
In rare cases, large teratoma can cause anemia.
If we talk about the most obvious variety of this pathology, then it is worth noting the dermoid cyst. When it appears in the body of a woman, inflammatory processes begin. At the same time, patients suffer from high body temperature, constant weakness, pain in the abdomen.
Varieties
If we talk about the structure of the neoplasm, then there are mature, immature and malignant teratoma.
Also in medical practice there is (albeit very rarely) a bilateral lesion. This type of pathology is fixed in no more than 7-10% of cases.
Teratoma of the right ovary is quite common. This type of disease is diagnosed in 62% of cases or more.
Right side
Teratoma of this type is most common in medical practice, since it is in this area that blood circulation is much higher. This is due to the fact that the liver and aorta are located on the right side, thanks to which the ovarian arteries are nourished.
Most often, a right-sided tumor appears against the background of venous architectonics. There is also a risk of such a neoplasm occurring in case of anatomical discrepancy between the dimensions of the ovaries (as a rule, in such cases, it is the right one that is slightly larger).
If the appendix is located very close to the ovary and begins to become inflamed, then this is also favorable conditions for the appearance and rapid growth of this type of tumor.
Left hand
If we talk about teratoma, located on the left side, then this phenomenon is much less common in medical practice. This is because the left ovary does not ovulate as often as the right. Due to this, this body experiences much less stress. In this case, the risk of developing an anomaly is much lower.
Mature
This variety is a tumor composed of individual embryonic cells, often referred to as germ layers.
Mature ovarian teratoma can be single, solid or cystic. In this case, the tumor at any size can remain benign. If we consider in detail the structure of this neoplasm, then parts of cartilage, bone elements, mucus and cystic formations can be found in it.
If we talk about the main features of mature teratoma, it is worth noting that it is highly treatable. By starting therapy in a timely manner, you can safely count on a full recovery. In addition, formations of this type never transform into malignant tumors. There is also no risk of metastases. However, this does not mean that such a teratoma can be left without attention.
The main risk lies in the rather decent size of the neoplasm. Therefore, even if this type of ovarian teratoma occurs, an operation to remove the tumor is mandatory. If we are talking about women who are in position, then you can wait with surgical intervention, but only on condition that the size of the neoplasm does not exceed 5 cm. If the dimensions increase rapidly, this can lead to inflammation and suppuration. Because of this, there is a huge risk that the pregnancy will be terminated spontaneously.
Cystic ovarian teratoma is also benign. According to statistics, in 90% of cases, after removal of the tumor, a complete recovery occurs. However, this variety is different in that it can develop into a malignant teratoma. As a rule, this occurs under the condition that the pathology develops simultaneously with chorioepithelioma.
Mature teratoma can only be diagnosed during ultrasound. There are no obvious symptoms of the disease.
Immature
This variety is considered quite dangerous, as it represents an intermediate stage in the development of a tumor that can develop into a malignant formation. It consists of a large number of tissue cells of the germ layers.
An immature tumor most often develops in the front of the uterus. The formation contains mesenchymal and nerve cells. However, this type of tumor is extremelyrare, only in 2-3% of cases and among the fair sex only at the age of 18-25.
As a rule, this type of pathology is detected during histological studies. In this case, the tumor can develop both in the right and in the left ovary. The size of the formation can range from 5 to 40 centimeters. A characteristic feature of the tumor is its smooth surface.
In this case, hemorrhages from the neoplasm quite often occur. Because of this, metastases can develop in any of the internal organs.
Malignant
This type of tumor is considered the most dangerous, but it is rarely diagnosed. A malignant formation appears when a cyst appears in an ovarian teratoma. It can be melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma.
Initial manifestations
At the initial stage (due to the too small size of the neoplasm), the problem may not manifest itself in the form of pronounced symptoms. As a rule, the presence of a tumor is detected only after a standard examination. The patient can go to the doctor for a routine examination or for a completely different reason.
If the pathology is not detected and continues to develop, then often in this case women begin to experience discomfort in the lower abdomen. In this case, the “pull” will be on the right or left, depending on which ovary the tumor has formed. In addition, some women report more severe pain that comes before the onset of menstruation.
When the teratoma increases so much that it begins to put pressure on the bladder, this provokes the fair sex to go to the toilet "in a small way" much more often. In other cases, patients, on the contrary, complain that they cannot empty their bladder, which brings pain.
It also happens that the neoplasm begins to squeeze the rectum. Because of this, women begin to suffer from frequent constipation. Girls of short stature are characterized by a sharp increase in the abdomen for no apparent reason. At the same time, neither diet nor intensive training can help you lose weight.
Late manifestations
If the pathology is not diagnosed and is in an immature form, then in this case a huge number of non-specific symptoms can be expected. Some note that their level of performance has dropped dramatically. At the same time, women experience severe fatigue, pain in the lower abdomen. Against the background of pathology, normochromic anemia may develop. In this case, the hair becomes too brittle, the skin dries out, the nails become thinner.
When advanced, symptoms may develop that are triggered by metastases. In this case, it all depends on where exactly the new formation appeared. Metastases may be in the lungs, brain, spinal column, or intestines.
The next step is the risk of developing cachexia. In this case, the patient becomes very thin, weakens. In this case, a severe intoxication syndrome may develop.
During pregnancy
If a woman is diagnosed with thispathology during the bearing of the baby, then the interesting position of the patient can cause the rapid growth of teratoma. After that, there is a high risk of rupture of the cyst. If this happens, then foreign bodies enter the abdominal cavity. Against this background, peritonitis appears.
Teratoma of the ovary during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and other sad consequences. It is for this reason that careful examination and monitoring of the tumor, if it is detected, is important.
Treatment
It should be said right away that there are no conservative ways to treat ovarian teratoma. The removal operation is the only option. However, the type of surgical excision is determined on an individual basis depending on the size of the tumor and other conditions.
For example, a cystectomy may be performed. In this case, the cyst will be excised within the ovary. This operation is considered the safest, since in this case there is no risk of reproductive dysfunction.
During resection, part of the ovary is removed, which in the future may lead to problems with conception.
If the doctor decides to perform an oophorectomy, then the entire ovary will be removed along with the resulting tumor. However, such operations are performed in rare cases.
