Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymtomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symtoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Ovarian dermoid cysts(also calledmature cysticteratomas) are a type of germ cell tumor (growths of cells that form from reproductive cells). These cysts are fluid-filled sacs that contain tissues meant to develop in other parts of the body.
Tissues in ovarian dermoid cysts can include hair, teeth, skin, muscle, and bone. Dermoid cysts in ovaries typically are present at birth but may not grow or become symptomatic for many years.Around 2% become malignant (cancerous).
Ovaries are part of thefemale reproductive system. They produce and store eggs (ova). The ovaries also manufacture the hormonesestrogenandprogesterone. These hormones regulateovulation(release of the egg from the ovary) and themenstrual cycle.
There are several types ofovarian cysts. The most common type is functional cysts that develop in response to ovulation. Dermoid cysts in ovaries are far less common, but they are the most common type of benign ovarian tumor.
This article will explain how dermoid cysts in ovaries form, as well as their symptoms, treatments, and potential complications.
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Ovarian Dermoid Cyst Symptoms and Complications
Dermoid cysts in the ovaries may remain asymptomatic (have no symptoms). In some instances, they may enlarge and cause symptoms, including:
Symptoms may also result from dermoid cyst complications, such asovarian cyst rupture(a cyst that bursts open) orovarian torsion(the ovary twists around its supporting tissues and blood vessels). In rare cases, malignant transformation in a cyst may occur, turning a benign cyst into a cancerous one.
Ovarian torsion or rupture can cause severe, intense pelvic or abdominal pain. Other symptoms of complications can include:
When combined with severe pain, these symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. Acute pelvic or abdominal pain should always be brought to a healthcare provider’s attention.
Dermoid cysts develop prenatally, in embryos. The underlying cause of ovarian dermoid cysts is not completely known or understood.
Dermoid cysts are composed of two or three embryonic germ layers.Germ layers are groups of cells that differentiate to form all of the body’s organs and tissues. The three germ layers are:
Small, asymptomatic ovarian dermoid cysts may be discovered incidentally during routineultrasound exams, such as those given during pregnancy. They may also be discovered during delivery viacesarean section (C-section).
If an ovarian dermoid cyst is found or suspected, a physical exam will be done. Your healthcare provider will pay particular attention to your pelvis and abdomen, to check for tenderness, pain, and swollen areas.
Blood and urine tests may be given to check for an alternative diagnosis. Ovarian dermoid cysts don’t have diagnostic tumor markers that can be seen in a blood sample.
Imaging tests of the ovary may be done, such as:
If malignancy is suspected, surgical removal will be recommended.
Small, asymptomatic ovarian dermoid cysts don’t usually require treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend a consistent schedule of follow-up exams to look for changes in the cyst that might warrant the need for its removal.
Cysts that cause symptoms should, however, be removed surgically. This eliminates concerns about rupture or torsion.
Smaller cysts may be removed through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopic cystectomy. This procedure removes the cyst and leaves the rest of the ovary intact.
If the dermoid cyst is larger than 5 cm–6 cm, anoophorectomy (surgical removal of an ovary)may be recommended. This is likely to be considered if the cyst distorts the ovary’s structure.
Ovarian dermoid cysts are benign in 98% to 99% of all cases.After the removal of a benign cyst, there is a small risk of regrowth (4% in one study).
Summary
Dermoid ovarian cysts are usually benign tumors that develop from reproductive cells that would form different tissues in an embryo. They may have no symptoms or they can be painful. They can rupture or produce ovarian torsion, which are medical emergencies.
Diagnosis is usually done with imaging. Observation or watchful waiting may be the preferred course. If a dermoid ovarian cyst is larger or producing symptoms, it may be removed surgically.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing you have an ovarian dermoid cyst can be concerning. Try to remember that the vast majority of dermoid cysts never become cancerous. Torsion, the most common complication, can be avoided with surgical cyst removal. Most dermoid cysts remain asymptomatic and won’t impact fertility in themselves.
If you have an ovarian dermoid cyst, being proactive is important. Let your healthcare provider know of any acute or chronic symptoms you may feel. Monitoring the cyst with regular ultrasounds per your healthcare provider’s recommendationswill help you keep on top of potential changes and help to avoid complications.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Osmosis from Elsevier.Teratoma.Gadducci A, Giuliani D, Cosio S, et al.Clinical outcome of patients with malignant tumors associated with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: a retrospective multicenter Italian study.Anticancer Res. 2019;39(5):2513-2517. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13372Rathore R, Sharma S, Arora D.Clinicopathological evaluation of 223 cases of mature cystic teratoma, ovary: 25-year experience in a single tertiary care centre in India.J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(4):EC11-EC14. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/23909.9612Chiang AJ, Chen MY, Weng CS, et al.Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study.J Gynecol Oncol. 2017;28(5):e69. doi:10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e69Johns Hopkins Medicine.What risks are associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst?Konyar Z, Eyupoglu G, Tatli M, Guneysel O.A rare case of mature cystic teratoma in the emergency department.Journal of Acute Disease. 2016;5(3):248-249. doi:10.1016/j.joad.2016.03.014Sinha A, Ewies AA.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma: challenges of surgical management.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2016;2016:2390178. doi:10.1155/2016/2390178Harada M, Osuga Y, Fujimoto A, et al.Predictive factors for recurrence of ovarian mature cystic teratomas after surgical excision.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;171(2):325-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.09.004Goudeli C, Varytimiadi A, Koufopoulos N, Syrios J, Terzakis E.An ovarian mature cystic teratoma evolving in squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2016;19:27-30. doi:10.1016/j.gore.2016.12.005Kurt S, Avşar HA, Doğan ÖE, Saatli HB, Saygılı U.Effects of mature cystic teratoma on reproductive health and malignant transformation: A retrospective analysis of 80 cases.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2019;20(2):84-88. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2018.2018.0003
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Osmosis from Elsevier.Teratoma.Gadducci A, Giuliani D, Cosio S, et al.Clinical outcome of patients with malignant tumors associated with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: a retrospective multicenter Italian study.Anticancer Res. 2019;39(5):2513-2517. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13372Rathore R, Sharma S, Arora D.Clinicopathological evaluation of 223 cases of mature cystic teratoma, ovary: 25-year experience in a single tertiary care centre in India.J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(4):EC11-EC14. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/23909.9612Chiang AJ, Chen MY, Weng CS, et al.Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study.J Gynecol Oncol. 2017;28(5):e69. doi:10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e69Johns Hopkins Medicine.What risks are associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst?Konyar Z, Eyupoglu G, Tatli M, Guneysel O.A rare case of mature cystic teratoma in the emergency department.Journal of Acute Disease. 2016;5(3):248-249. doi:10.1016/j.joad.2016.03.014Sinha A, Ewies AA.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma: challenges of surgical management.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2016;2016:2390178. doi:10.1155/2016/2390178Harada M, Osuga Y, Fujimoto A, et al.Predictive factors for recurrence of ovarian mature cystic teratomas after surgical excision.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;171(2):325-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.09.004Goudeli C, Varytimiadi A, Koufopoulos N, Syrios J, Terzakis E.An ovarian mature cystic teratoma evolving in squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2016;19:27-30. doi:10.1016/j.gore.2016.12.005Kurt S, Avşar HA, Doğan ÖE, Saatli HB, Saygılı U.Effects of mature cystic teratoma on reproductive health and malignant transformation: A retrospective analysis of 80 cases.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2019;20(2):84-88. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2018.2018.0003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Osmosis from Elsevier.Teratoma.Gadducci A, Giuliani D, Cosio S, et al.Clinical outcome of patients with malignant tumors associated with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: a retrospective multicenter Italian study.Anticancer Res. 2019;39(5):2513-2517. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13372Rathore R, Sharma S, Arora D.Clinicopathological evaluation of 223 cases of mature cystic teratoma, ovary: 25-year experience in a single tertiary care centre in India.J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(4):EC11-EC14. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/23909.9612Chiang AJ, Chen MY, Weng CS, et al.Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study.J Gynecol Oncol. 2017;28(5):e69. doi:10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e69Johns Hopkins Medicine.What risks are associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst?Konyar Z, Eyupoglu G, Tatli M, Guneysel O.A rare case of mature cystic teratoma in the emergency department.Journal of Acute Disease. 2016;5(3):248-249. doi:10.1016/j.joad.2016.03.014Sinha A, Ewies AA.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma: challenges of surgical management.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2016;2016:2390178. doi:10.1155/2016/2390178Harada M, Osuga Y, Fujimoto A, et al.Predictive factors for recurrence of ovarian mature cystic teratomas after surgical excision.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;171(2):325-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.09.004Goudeli C, Varytimiadi A, Koufopoulos N, Syrios J, Terzakis E.An ovarian mature cystic teratoma evolving in squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2016;19:27-30. doi:10.1016/j.gore.2016.12.005Kurt S, Avşar HA, Doğan ÖE, Saatli HB, Saygılı U.Effects of mature cystic teratoma on reproductive health and malignant transformation: A retrospective analysis of 80 cases.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2019;20(2):84-88. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2018.2018.0003
Osmosis from Elsevier.Teratoma.
Gadducci A, Giuliani D, Cosio S, et al.Clinical outcome of patients with malignant tumors associated with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: a retrospective multicenter Italian study.Anticancer Res. 2019;39(5):2513-2517. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13372
Rathore R, Sharma S, Arora D.Clinicopathological evaluation of 223 cases of mature cystic teratoma, ovary: 25-year experience in a single tertiary care centre in India.J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(4):EC11-EC14. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/23909.9612
Chiang AJ, Chen MY, Weng CS, et al.Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study.J Gynecol Oncol. 2017;28(5):e69. doi:10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e69
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What risks are associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst?
Konyar Z, Eyupoglu G, Tatli M, Guneysel O.A rare case of mature cystic teratoma in the emergency department.Journal of Acute Disease. 2016;5(3):248-249. doi:10.1016/j.joad.2016.03.014
Sinha A, Ewies AA.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma: challenges of surgical management.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2016;2016:2390178. doi:10.1155/2016/2390178
Harada M, Osuga Y, Fujimoto A, et al.Predictive factors for recurrence of ovarian mature cystic teratomas after surgical excision.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;171(2):325-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.09.004
Goudeli C, Varytimiadi A, Koufopoulos N, Syrios J, Terzakis E.An ovarian mature cystic teratoma evolving in squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2016;19:27-30. doi:10.1016/j.gore.2016.12.005
Kurt S, Avşar HA, Doğan ÖE, Saatli HB, Saygılı U.Effects of mature cystic teratoma on reproductive health and malignant transformation: A retrospective analysis of 80 cases.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2019;20(2):84-88. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2018.2018.0003
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