Malignant teratoma - Treatment

Alternative Names

Dermoid cyst - malignant; Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor - teratoma; Immature teratoma

Treatment:

Chemotherapy is used to treat the tumor. A combination of medicines (usually cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin) is commonly used.

After chemotherapy is complete, CT scans are taken again to see if any mass remains. Surgery may be recommended if there is a possibility that the cancer will grow back in that area.

Support Groups:

There are many support groups available for people with cancer. Contact the American Cancer Society -- www.cancer.org

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook depends on the tumor size and location and the age of the patient.

Complications:

The cancer can spread throughout the body and there may be complications of surgery or related to chemotherapy.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of malignant teratoma.

Teratoma - MRI scan

Malignant teratoma

Reviewed last on: 9/26/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Celli BR. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 100.

Cyst

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