what is a teratoma?

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A teratoma is a type of neoplasm (specifically, a tumor). The word teratoma comes from Greek and means roughly 'monstrous tumor.' Definitive diagnosis of a teratoma is based on its histology: a teratoma is a tumor with tissue or organ components resembling normal derivatives of all three germ layers. Rarely, not all three germ layers are identifiable. The tissues of a teratoma, although normal in themselves, may be quite different from surrounding tissues, and may be highly inappropriate, even grotesque (hence the monstrous): teratomas have been reported to contain hair, teeth, bone and very rarely more complex organs such as eyeball, torso, and hand. Usually, however, a teratoma will contain no organs but rather one or more tissues normally found in organs such as the brain, thyroid, liver, and lung.

Teratomas belong to a class of tumors known as nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). All tumors of this class are the result of abnormal development of pluripotent cells: germ cells and embryonal cells. Teratomas of embryonal origin are congenital; teratomas of germ cell origin may or may not be congenital (this is not known). The kind of pluripotent cell appears to be unimportant, apart from constraining the location of the teratoma in the body.  (+ info)

CAUTION GRAPHIC: Could this be a teratoma cyst?

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Today I was laying out with my friend and I noticed a red bump that I've had for a while had something sticking out of it slightly (like a little fiber). I pinched it and pulled it out, there was what looked like a really thick hair, I touched it to feel if it was hard or soft - it was soft and it split up into at least 6 different smaller hairs, they were white. It was about a 1/4 inch long. Then the "pocket" it was in filled up with blood and now it's swollen.
This has happened to me in the past one other time, and I am almost sure it was in the same place. Am I some kind of freak of nature or does this just randomly happen?
Ingrown hairs.  (+ info)

Should a woman wait to concieve additional children after a C-section delivery??

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My wife will most likely be delivering our first child via C-section because she appears on ultrasound to have a form of teratoma that may make vaginal delivery dangerous for the baby. Any way, we are thinking about having more children and we would like to know if there is any danger for my wife or future children to try and concieve shortly after our first child is born.
It has nothing to do with the csection. Her body needs time to recover and recoup the nutrients it lost while growing the baby. Most doctors recommend at least a year or two in between but i would say give her at least 6 months before trying to concieve again. It can lead to osteoporosis if she doesnt let her vitamins and nutrients get back to where they were prepregnancy.  (+ info)

IUD's and sever cramping on one side during and after period?

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I've had my IUD for 5 yrs and since having it have had sever pain and cramping on my right side going around into my back and down my thigh to my knee it starts the day my period starts and lasts for several days after it has ended.I went to the Dr's for this pain and found out that I had a teratoma tumor involving my right ovary and fallopian tube,I had surgery and had them removed,but the pain still persists,so I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if having the IUD removed has helped.I am at my wits end the pain is so bad I can barely get out of bed and it makes me feel like putting my head through a wall.
CALL YOUR GYN  (+ info)

calling all doctors OR women who have had ovarian tumors?

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i recently had laparascopic surgery to remove a large dermoid tumor on my ovary. the pathology report said it's "mature cystic teratoma." i have had this surgery overseas, and there is a bit of a language barrier with my surgeon.
i have a copy of my pathology report, and it mentions something about "exhibiting Rokitansky's protuberance". well, the doctor never discussed that with me, so it might not be important...
but i looked it up on the internet, and it's all very confusing medical jargon. it does however mention that if there is this "Rokitansky's," it's possible things turned malignant and spread. since i only had a laparoscopy, is it possible that any malignancy spread to my other organs and they wouldn't know it? i never had any mri or ct or anything, just the laparoscopy.
does anyone have any idea what i am talking about?
If you are concerned, you should go to your doctor with the Pathology report. In addition, it is not uncommon for the lab to be able to ship your slides to other labs, clinics or hospitals. It would be helpful to have a Pathologist review the slides to confirm the diagnosis.
Mature cystic teratoma in women (unlike in men especially in testis) is benign. Complete removal is usually a curative treatment. Surgical or operative report should also be helpful to determine whether the tumor was removed intact without spill or without evidence of tumor beyond the ovary. Rokitansky's protuberance is not significant. It is a CT scan finding or description of tissue growth pattern.
Good luck!  (+ info)

can a male over 60 get testicular cancer or is it younger people?

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my brother is 63 has swollen teste dr sending for a scan . could it be cancer or is it younger males that get teratoma
Any male of any age can get testicular cancer  (+ info)

how to treat testiest cancer?

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the report i have :
Pathology Report Conclusion :
Right Testties : Malignant teratoma ( teratocarcinoma ) with prominence of embryonic carcinoma
Steve .
I had the surgery to remove one, then radiation and have been fine for 10 years since. Just take quick action and follow doctors' orders. You can do it.  (+ info)

any other sarcoma of ovary survivors?

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i was diagnosed with "ovarian cancer" in 04, and i am now in remission. it was germ cell tumor, pnet, sarcoma, teratoma and yolk sac tumor all in my ovary. it's very rare, so i was wondering if anyone heard of it? they say i have 11% 5 yr survival rate. what does that mean? that i only have 11% chance of living past 5 yrs or making it to 5 yrs? please help me understand!
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer-3C- in April of 05 and am in remission. There was no spread to nodes or other organs. I had a very common cancer and am unfamilar with the one you had. To be honest, I did not come right out and ask about the survival odds. Statistics are just numbers. Every woman is different and any prognosis has to take into account that fact. Supposedly, I found from reading, since ovarian cancer tends to recur, the chance of surviving five years is about 24% BUT my oncologist said 80% of cancers of my type respond favorably to chemotherapy. So, take your choice-I prefer to believe I'll beat it. How about you????  (+ info)

etoposide and cisplatin cause alopecia?

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The person in question has so far had three cycles of the BEP regimen of chemotherapy, for an ovarian teratoma. However, she has now been told that potentially they can stop the bleomycin because they aren't sure whether it's having an effect, leaving just etoposide and cisplatin(um).

We know that the bleomycin definitely causes alopecia, but will it continue the bleomycin won't be given? Are the other drugs responsible for it too?

Thanks in advance
Etoposide as a single chemo agent can cause total hair loss. Cisplatin as a side effect causes hair to be brittle, thinning, or hair loss as well. So, unfortunately the hair loss will likely continue . . it can be different for each patient.
Remember this side effect is only temporary . . once chemotherapy is stopped the hair will return.

Chemocare: Cisplatin
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/cisplatin.asp

Chemocare: Etoposide
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/etoposide.asp  (+ info)

Ovarian teratomas?! Please help?

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Are very small ovarian teratomas in teens usually benign or cancerous ? And how do yu know if it's an immature teratoma or mature teratoma? And insight on these types of tumors would be helpful .thanks.
Abigail, The overwhelming majority of ovarian teratomas are benign. A cancerous one is extremely rare. The ones I've examined have a variety of body tissue in this unusual cystic mass - namely skin, hair, tooth, sweat glands, brain tissue, thyroid, and cartilage. Rarely will one of these many types undergo a malignant change. Most physicians have never seen a single ovarian teratoma that had a malignancy, though it is reported in the medical literature.  (+ info)

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