Ovarian Teratomas

Germ Cell Tumors

Mature Cystic Teratoma

• Benign tumor composed of mature tissues from all three germ layers (e.g., hair, skin, teeth)
• Variable size, often large, with solid and cystic components
• Typically unilateral, affecting reproductive women, most common in 20-30 year olds
• Excellent prognosis, with slow growth pattern

Immature Teratoma

• Malignant tumor composed of immature or embryonic tissues
• Variable size, can be large, with solid structure and possible cystic areas
• Typically unilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Variable prognosis, better with early detection, with fast growth pattern

Dysgerminoma

• Malignant tumor composed of germ cells, similar to testicular seminoma
• Variable size, usually large, with solid and often homogeneous structure
• Often bilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Excellent prognosis with treatment, with variable growth pattern

Yolk Sac Tumor

• Malignant tumor composed of yolk sac elements, producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• Variable size, usually large, with solid structure and often hemorrhage and necrosis
• Typically unilateral, affecting children and young adults
• Variable prognosis, often aggressive but treatable, with fast growth pattern

Germ Cell Tumors

Mature Cystic Teratoma

• Composed of mature tissues from all three germ layers (e.g., hair, skin, teeth)
• Variable in size, often large, with both solid and cystic components
• Typically unilateral, affecting reproductive women, most common in 20-30 year olds
• Excellent prognosis due to slow growth pattern

Immature Teratoma

• Composed of immature or embryonic tissues
• Variable in size, can be large, with solid structure and possible cystic areas
• Typically unilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Variable prognosis, better with early detection, with fast growth pattern

Dysgerminoma

• Composed of germ cells, similar to testicular seminoma
• Variable in size, usually large, with solid and often homogeneous structure
• Often bilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Excellent prognosis with treatment, with variable growth pattern

Yolk Sac Tumor

• Composed of yolk sac elements, producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• Variable in size, usually large, with solid structure and often hemorrhage and necrosis
• Typically unilateral, affecting children and young adults
• Variable prognosis, often aggressive but treatable, with fast growth pattern

Germ Cell Tumors

Mature Cystic Teratoma

• Composed of mature tissues from all three germ layers (e.g., hair, skin, teeth)
• Variable in size, often large, with both solid and cystic components
• Typically unilateral, affecting reproductive women, most common in 20-30 year olds
• Excellent prognosis due to slow growth pattern

Immature Teratoma

• Composed of immature or embryonic tissues
• Variable in size, can be large, with solid structure and possible cystic areas
• Typically unilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Variable prognosis, better with early detection, with fast growth pattern

Dysgerminoma

• Composed of germ cells, similar to testicular seminoma
• Variable in size, usually large, with solid and often homogeneous structure
• Often bilateral, affecting adolescents and young adults
• Excellent prognosis with treatment, with variable growth pattern

Yolk Sac Tumor

• Composed of yolk sac elements, producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• Variable in size, usually large, with solid structure and often hemorrhage and necrosis
• Typically unilateral, affecting children and young adults
• Variable prognosis, often aggressive but treatable, with fast growth pattern

Learn about the characteristics of mature cystic teratomas and immature teratomas, including their nature, composition, size, and prognosis. Quiz covers key differences between these two types of ovarian tumors.