Extra-Gonadal Teratomas in Atypical Sites in Neonates and Children – Our Experience and Review of the Literature
A B S T R A C T
Background: Extra-gonadal teratomas are rare tumors in Pediatric surgical practice. We studied the teratomas of atypical sites attended in our tertiary care center.
Aim: Aim of the study was to find out the incidence of pediatric teratomas in atypical sites, clinical presentation and histological variation.
Material and Methods: Over 15 years (January 2005 to December 2020), 29 cases of pediatric teratomas in atypical sites were studied. These sites included neck (number-one), retroperitoneum (number-fourteen), adrenal gland (number-two), renal (number-two), gastric(number-three), pancreas (number-one), pulmonary (number-one), floor of the mouth(number-one), oral (number-two), abdominal wall (number-one) and the mesentery (number-one). Patients were treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery and specimens were reviewed in the Department of Pathology. Age, sex, clinical presentation, investigations (all patients had complete blood examination and alpha-fetoprotein) and imaging (USG of the local part and CECT as guided by the organ of involvement).
Results: 29 pediatric teratomas in uncommon sites were reviewed. Out of 14 cases of retroperitoneal teratoma, three were immature. Cervical teratoma in a neonate was mature. Three cases of gastric teratomas were reported as mature. Two cases of adrenal teratomas also showed the histological features of mature teratoma. Renal teratomas (two) were benign. One each of pulmonary teratoma, pancreas and floor of the mouth were reported as mature. Two patients presented with oral teratoma were reported as mature teratomas. One patient had teratoma arising from the abdominal wall and was resected completely (mature teratoma). Teratoma arising from the mesentery also underwent complete resection.
Conclusion: A small percentage of Pediatric teratomas occur in atypical sites. In our series, retroperitoneal tumors were predominant. Early surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Malignant change is known to occur in Pediatric teratoma and the patients need long term follow-up.
Keywords
Pediatric, retroperitoneum, neonates, teratoma, atypical sites, gastric, adrenal, pancreatic, the floor of the mouth, pulmonary, teratoid Wilms’, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Introduction
The teratomas in gonads and sacrococcygeal area are relatively common neoplasms seen in pediatric surgical practice [1, 2]. Teratomas in extra-gonadal sites are uncommon, varied in presentation and unpredictable biological behaviour [3]. The teratomas are embryonal tumors derived from at least 2 of 3 germ cell layers which differentiate into identifiable tissues and organs in ectopic locations [3]. Mature teratomas are known to undergo malignant change and they need long term follow-up [4]. The rare sites where teratomas are located are retroperitoneal space, mediastinum, pulmonary, stomach, the floor of mouth, tongue, kidney, thyroid, liver, heart, lung, fallopian tube, placenta [4]. We share our experience of teratomas arising in the retroperitoneum, neck, kidney, stomach, adrenal, pulmonary, the floor of the mouth, the pancreas, oral cavity, abdominal wall and the mesentery.
Material and Methods
The authors of the present study reviewed their experience on teratomas in extra-gonadal sites (retroperitoneum, neck, adrenal, renal, pulmonary, floor of the mouth, pancreas, oral cavity, abdominal wall, mesentery). Tables 1 & 2 show the age, sex, site, treatment, nature of the tumor and follow-up in the retroperitoneal area and other uncommon sites respectively. In 14 cases of retroperitoneal teratomas, 11 were reported as mature and 3 were immature as shown in (Table 1). All of them had baseline investigations (CBC, urine microscopic examination, renal functions). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was done in all cases and was raised in immature teratomas. After the surgical procedure, the specimens were sent to the Department Pathology. The study was carried out over a period 15 years from January 2005 to December 2010. 106 cases of pediatric teratoma were analysed in the Department of Pathology. Out of these, 29 cases were teratoma at atypical sites.
Table 1: Retroperitoneal teratomas.
Age |
Sex |
Site |
Treatment |
Histology |
Follow-up |
6 d |
M |
Mid-abdomen |
CE |
Immature |
Lost after 6M |
7 y |
M |
Whole abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 10 y |
3 y |
F |
Right lower abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 5 y |
1 y |
F |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 10 y |
9 y |
M |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 10 y |
7 m |
F |
Lower abdomen |
CE |
Immature |
Well after 1 y |
18 m |
F |
Right lower abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 11 y |
30 m |
F |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 12 y |
3 y |
F |
Left lower abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 10 y |
7 y |
M |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 10 y |
2 m |
F |
Lower abdomen |
CE |
Immature |
Died after 1 y |
11 y |
F |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 4 y |
6 m |
M |
Right lower abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 7 y |
12 m |
F |
Mid abdomen |
CE |
Mature |
Well after 12 y |
d: days; y: year, M-Male; F-Female; CE: Complete