Image Description
INTRODUCTION: Mature teratoma comprises 20%-40% of all primary ovarian neoplasms. It is the most common ovarian tumor in children and young adults and also the most common germ cell tumor.
It is composed exclusively of mature somatic tissues derived from two or three germ cell layers. Ectodermal derivatives such as skin and adnexa are the most common. Teeth occur in about one third of cases. Most cases are cystic and the term mature cystic teratoma is used interchangeably. The cyst wall in this image appears greasy due to sebaceous material.
A small minotiry of cases contain tissues from a single germ layer and are called monodermal teratomas (e.g. struma ovarii). Due to the predominance of skin and skin adnexal structures, mature cystic teratomas used to be called dermoid cyst - a term that is no longer recommended. Image courtesy of Steve O'Connor, MD, Houston, Texas. Used with permission.
It is composed exclusively of mature somatic tissues derived from two or three germ cell layers. Ectodermal derivatives such as skin and adnexa are the most common. Teeth occur in about one third of cases. Most cases are cystic and the term mature cystic teratoma is used interchangeably. The cyst wall in this image appears greasy due to sebaceous material.
A small minotiry of cases contain tissues from a single germ layer and are called monodermal teratomas (e.g. struma ovarii). Due to the predominance of skin and skin adnexal structures, mature cystic teratomas used to be called dermoid cyst - a term that is no longer recommended. Image courtesy of Steve O'Connor, MD, Houston, Texas. Used with permission.