teratoma
Noun: A teratoma is a type of tumor that contains a mixture of tissues, such as hair, muscle, teeth, or bone, which are not normally found at the site where the tumor grows. It is a complex growth that arises from germ cells.
Teratomas are typically discussed in medical and biological contexts. They are classified as germ cell tumors and can be benign (mature teratoma) or malignant (immature teratoma). They are most commonly found in the ovaries, testicles, or in midline body structures.
- The pathology report confirmed the ovarian cyst was a teratoma containing well-differentiated tissues like skin and sebaceous glands.
- Surgeons successfully removed a teratoma from the patient's sacrococcygeal region.
- The presence of teeth in the lung mass was a clear indicator of a pulmonary teratoma.
- Mature teratoma (dermoid cyst): A benign form that contains fully differentiated tissues. It is often cystic.
- Immature teratoma: A malignant form containing immature, embryonic tissues. It has a higher potential for metastasis.
- Monodermal teratoma: A rare type where the tumor is predominantly composed of one specialized tissue type, such as struma ovarii (thyroid tissue).
- Teratomatous (adj): Pertaining to or resembling a teratoma.
- The teratomatous nature of the growth was confirmed under the microscope.
- Teratogenesis (n): The process of causing abnormal fetal development, often discussed in relation to the study of birth defects, distinct from but etymologically related to teratoma.
- Teratology (n): The study of abnormalities of physiological development, including tumors like teratomas.
- Dermoid cyst (specifically for a common type of mature cystic teratoma)
- Germ cell tumor (a broader category that includes teratomas)
While a teratoma is specifically defined as a tumor with mixed tissues foreign to its location, the term is not used for other types of mixed-tissue growths or common cysts. Its defining feature is the presence of multiple tissue types derived from pluripotent cells.
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a tumor consisting of a mixture of tissues not normally found at that site
