A strange tumor with teeth and hair inside the body? Let's talk about Teratoma!

Imagine a tumor growing in your body that contains teeth, hair, and maybe even pieces of bone . It sounds a bit strange and maybe even scary, doesn't it? This is not a scene from a science fiction movie. Tumors like this can actually grow in our bodies. In medicine, the name we give to these strange tumors is teratoma . So today, let's talk about this in the simplest way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is a teratoma?

A teratoma is a tumor that starts in our reproductive cells, which are cells like eggs in women and sperm in men. In medicine, we call this a germ cell tumor . The special thing about these germ cells is that they can become any type of cell in the body. It's like a ball of clay that can be molded into any shape.

So, when a tumor starts to form from these germ cells, different types of tissue start to form inside that tumor . That's why you can see pieces of different parts of the body inside a teratoma tumor. The most common things that can be found inside these tumors are:

• Teeth
• Hair
• Adipose tissue (fat-like parts)
• Meat ( muscle )

But very rarely, tissues from more complex body parts can also be found inside these tumors. For example:

• Parts of the liver
• Parts of the lungs
• Brain tissue
• Parts of the thyroid gland

Sometimes, things like eyes, that is, even parts of the eyeball, can be found inside these tumors. But so far, no fully developed organ has been found in a teratoma.

What are the main types of teratomas?

Doctors divide teratomas into two main types. It is very important for you to know about these two types.

Where in the body do teratomas most commonly occur?

Although teratomas can develop anywhere in the body, there are a few locations where they are most commonly seen.

Ovarian teratomas

These are the most common type of teratomas found in women. Only a small percentage of teratomas that form in the ovaries become cancerous . The majority are benign tumors. They are often cystic teratomas, which are filled with fluid or tissue.

Testicular teratomas

This type is most common in men. When they occur in young boys, they are usually not cancerous. However, when they occur in older men, more than 50% of them are malignant .

Sacrococcygeal teratomas (teratoma that forms at the base of the spine)

These are the most common types of birthmarks in young children. But overall, they are very rare. They affect about one in 40,000 births. The tumor develops around the lowest bone in the spine (the part we call the tailbone or coccyx). This condition is more common in girls.

Fetiform teratomas

This is the rarest type of teratoma. It occurs in about one in 500,000 people. It is a tumor that looks like an incompletely developed fetus. However, because it does not have a placenta or amniotic sac, the fetus cannot develop in any way. In 90% of cases, these are diagnosed before a child is 18 months old.

What are the symptoms of a teratoma?

Often, a person with a teratoma does not show any symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can vary greatly depending on the location of the tumor. The table below can give you a good idea of ​​this.

Why do tumors like this actually form?

This is due to some error in the process of our cells dividing and specializing. Let's understand this a little more simply.

When an embryo develops, it starts with cells that have no specific function, and that can 'become anything.' Over time, these cells divide and specialize, becoming cells that perform specific functions, such as brain cells, skin cells, and muscle cells.

What happens in a teratoma is that the process of specialization of germ cells that we talked about earlier goes a little wrong. Then those cells start to become different types of tissues (hair, teeth, bones, meat) in the same place. It's like different types of stuff piling up in the same place. That's why you see unrelated body parts inside these tumors.

What complications can occur due to these tumors?

Although a teratoma is not cancer, it can cause some complications.

• Torsion: Cysts, especially those that develop in the ovaries, can twist in place, cutting off the blood supply to the area. This can cause sudden, severe pain.
• Rupture: When a cyst grows large, it can rupture, allowing the contents of the cyst to spread into the body cavity, causing infection or other problems.
• Infection: Germs can enter the tumor and cause infections.
• Transformation into cancer: Even if a tumor is initially benign, it can rarely become malignant over time.

How do you find out if you have a teratoma?

If you have any symptoms, your doctor will examine you, ask about your symptoms and medical history, and then recommend several tests to confirm whether it is a teratoma.

• Scans: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or ultrasound scans may be done to see the size, location, and contents of the tumor.
• Blood tests: Blood tests can help check hormone levels and the levels of some tumor markers.
• Biopsy test: This is done by taking a sample of the tumor.A very small piece is removed through surgery and examined under a microscope. This is the only way to tell with 100% accuracy whether the tumor is cancerous (malignant) or benign (benign).

With today's advanced scanning technology, sometimes it is possible to detect a teratoma in a baby while it is still in the womb during pregnancy.

How is this treated?

When a teratoma is diagnosed, the first step is usually to completely remove the tumor through surgery. Although the tumor is not cancerous, it is best to remove it because it can grow, twist, or burst if left untreated.

If your teratoma is diagnosed as malignant, your doctor may recommend other treatments in addition to surgery.

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy

Is this situation dangerous? What is the outlook?

This is the most important thing. The vast majority of teratomas are not cancerous. Therefore, these tumors do not spread throughout the body like malignant tumors. As a result, most teratomas, even cancerous ones, can be cured very well if detected early and treated properly . So there is no need to worry.

When should you see a doctor?

If you notice a new lump, tumor, or swelling anywhere on your body, or if you have persistent stomach pain, see your doctor right away. He or she can run the necessary tests and diagnose exactly what you have.

If you already know you have a teratoma, or have had surgery to remove one, and you develop new pain or other symptoms, also inform your doctor.