Managing growing teratoma syndrome: new insights and clinical applications

Srdjan Saso; Nicolas Galazis; Christos Iacovou; Kleio Kappatou; Menelaos Tzafetas; Benjamin Jones; Joseph Yazbek; Konstantinos Lathouras; Jonathan Anderson; Long R Jiao; Richard J Smith

doi:10.2144/fsoa-2019-0075

Managing growing teratoma syndrome: new insights and clinical applications

Future Sci OA. 2019 Oct 10;5(9):FSO419. doi: 10.2144/fsoa-2019-0075.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
² Department of Surgery & Cancer, Institute of Reproductive & Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
³ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
⁴ Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Division of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.

Abstract

Although a recognized condition, growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) has no guidelines for management, and patients diagnosed with the condition are managed empirically by the most appropriate teams. We report a case of GTS in a 33-year-old patient who was initially treated with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and subsequent chemotherapy for a germ cell ovarian tumor. GTS was subsequently diagnosed with massive pelvic and upper abdominal masses as well as lung tumors. We also conducted a literature review on cases of GTS presenting with large tumors. Based on this, we suggest a management plan to guide the care of women with GTS. The condition is best managed in a multidisciplinary team involving the relevant surgeons, including gynecologist, abdominal and thoracic surgeons.

Keywords: chemotherapy; immature teratoma; mature teratoma; oncology.

Publication types

Case Reports