Teratoma natural history
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Natural history
Overview
Complications
Teratomas are not dangerous for the fetus unless there is either a mass effect or a large amount of blood flow through the tumor (known as vascular steal). The mass effect frequently consists of obstruction of normal passage of fluids from surrounding organs. The vascular steal can place a strain on the growing heart of the fetus, even resulting in heart failure, and thus must be monitored by fetal echocardiography.
After surgery, there is a risk of regrowth in place, or in nearby organs.[1]
Prognosis
The prognosis of teratoma depends on the following:
- Whether or not the tumor can be removed by surgery.
- The size and location of the tumor
- The patient’s general health