How do you tell if a teratoma is mature or immature?
The morphologic features of the tumors differ in that mature cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts) are predominantly cystic, whereas immature teratomas are predominantly solid with small foci of fat. Struma ovarii and carcinoid tumors are monodermal teratomas and do not demonstrate fat.
What the difference between mature cystic teratoma and immature cystic teratoma?
Mature teratomas are benign tumors, which are most often composed of derivatives of two or three germ cell layers. Only in rare cases is the transition into a malignant tumor observed (most often squamous cell carcinoma). In contrast, immature teratomas are malignant ovarian tumors.
What is a mature teratoma?
Listen to pronunciation. (muh-CHOOR TAYR-uh-TOH-muh) A type of germ cell tumor that is usually made up of several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle, and bone. Mature teratomas have cells that look almost like normal cells under a microscope.
What does an immature teratoma look like?
At CT and MRI, an immature teratoma possesses characteristic appearance. It is typically large (12–25 cm) and has prominent solid components with cystic elements. It is usually filled with lipid constituents and therefore demonstrates fat density at CT and MRI.
Are immature teratomas bilateral?
Immature teratomas are almost never bilateral, although occasionally a benign teratoma is found in the opposite ovary. These tumors may have multiple peritoneal implants at the time of initial surgery, and the prognosis is closely correlated with the histologic grade of the primary tumor and the implants.
Is mature teratoma malignant?
Mature teratomas are usually benign (not cancerous). But they may grow back after being surgically removed. Immature teratomas are more likely to develop into a malignant cancer.
What is ovarian immature teratoma?
Immature ovarian teratomas are uncommon ovarian germ cell tumors. They differ from mature ovarian teratomas (dermoid cysts) both histologically by the presence of immature tissue, and clinically by their more malignant behavior.
How common are mature teratoma?
Mature teratomas are the most common germ cell tumors; approximately 95% of tumors in this category and about 30% of all ovarian tumors are mature teratomas. They most commonly arise in children and young adults but can affect a wide age range.
Are all immature teratomas malignant?
Immature teratomas are uncommon malignant ovarian neoplasms that comprise less than 1% of ovarian germ cell tumors. Immature and embryonic tissue from all three cell lines may be present within immature teratomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tissue is the most common malignant tissue subtype.
What’s the difference between a mature and an immature teratoma?
So, this is the key difference between mature and immature teratoma. Mature teratoma is composed of well-differentiated derivatives of at least two or three germ layers. Immature teratoma is composed of immature or embryonic tissues. Moreover, mature teratomas are slow-growing while immature teratomas are rapidly growing.
When to consider chemotherapy for an immature teratoma?
When the grade of the tumor advances to 2 or 3, or the stage goes beyond Ia, chemotherapy is usually recommended. The grade of an immature teratoma refers to the proportion of tissue that contains immature neural elements (which look like fetal organs).
Can a mature ovarian teratoma be cancerous?
A small percentage of mature ovarian teratomas is cancerous, and they are usually found in women during their reproductive years. In males, pre-puberty or pediatric testicular teratomas are usually mature and noncancerous. What is Immature Teratoma?
What are the symptoms of a mature cystic teratoma?
Mature cystic teratomas are also called dermoid cysts. Teratomas may have no symptoms at first. When symptoms develop, they can be different depending on where the teratoma is located. The most common locations for teratomas are the tailbone (coccyx), ovaries, and testicles. Signs and symptoms common to many teratomas include: