Tumors can be very traumatizing and some of cancer can be extremely hard to treat. Teratoma is a rare type of tumor that majorly affects children and organs. This disease can be extremely painful and sensitive to even watch. Teratoma disease makes tissues fully developed and leads to development of hairs, teeth, muscle and bones. This tumor that happens in newborns can be extremely dangerous for their health because it may require surgery at a very small age. Teratomas are usually common in tailbones, ovaries, testicles and some other parts of the body. Today we will learn about this tumor in newborn and its different types.
Symptoms of Teratoma
We spoke to Dr. Usha Mittal, Senior Paediatrician at Ivory Hospital, Greater Noida to know about this disease in detail. She told that teratomas are very painful and blood sucking condition that could cause tumor in the tailbone, testicles or ovaries. The symptoms are only evident once the tumor starts developing in children. Signs and symptoms in children can be devastating to watch for their parents. Here are some symptoms that could point towards this tumor in newborns.
Signs and Symptoms of Teratoma
- Terrific pain
- Swelling and bleeding
- Increase in levels of alpha-feroprotein which is a marker of tumors
- Mildly elevated levels of hormones beta-human chorionic gonadotropin
Other signs can depend on different types of teratoma disease. Therefore it is important to understand what the types are for further information.
Types of Teratoma Disease in Newborns
Dr. Usha informs OnlyMyHealth that there are two categories under which teratoma are divided.
Mature Teratoma- These are usually not cancerous however they have a tendency to grow back even after surgical removal. Mature teratomas are further divided into more classifications such as solid, cystic and mixed.
Immature Teratoma- This is more complex and serious teratomas that affects newborns into malignant cancer.
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1. Tailbone Teratoma
This is known as sacrococcygeal teratoma which develops in the tailbone of the child. It is most common type of teratoma disease that is found in newborns and children. However even after being a common type of teratoma disease it occurs in just 1 out of 30 thousand infants. This disease can grow outside or inside of the body in the tailbone section.
Symptoms of tailbone teratoma includes-
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Painful urination
- Weakness in legs
- Swelling in the pubic region
2. Ovarian Teratoma
Another type of teratoma that occurs is ovarian teratoma in the pelvis or abdomen region. It can cause intense pain to the children and infants. Ovarian teratoma puts pressure on the ovaries and causes mass to grow in the region. Teratoma in ovaries of children can be accompanied NMDA encephalitis; it can further lead to pinching headaches and psychiatric symptoms. Psychotic symptoms include confusion and psychosis.
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3. Testicular Teratoma
Another type of teratoma is what happens in the testicles. This is the only teratoma that occurs in adults and children both. It results to lump or swelling in the testicles of male children and adults. It can be very fatal because it does not cause any symptoms.
Conclusion
Teratoma disease is a rare disease that causes tumor in children. It can be very problematic as symptoms are not visible until the tissues start evolving in the organs. It leads to very painful and stressful situation for the kids and may also lead to life-threatening in some cases. Teratomas are more common in females as compared to males. There are majorly 3 types of teratomas that occur in people. It can only be treated or removed by surgical process.
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