Late sequelae of gonadal, mediastinal and oral teratomas in childhood

Thirty-two patients with gonadal or non-sacrococcygeal extragonadal teratomas who underwent operation in childhood were evaluated for different late sequelae. Follow-up times ranged from 5.0 to 40 years. Physical abnormalities resulting from surgery were seen in eight patients who had had oral or mediastinal primary teratomas. Radiographs revealed multiple spina bifida occulta lesions in three patients. The males, but not the females, showed signs of gonadal dysfunction. Impaired semen quality or abnormal serum concentrations of testosterone or gonadotrophins were found in five of 10 adult men who had had testicular or mediastinal teratomas. Thus, some late sequelae may be predicted from the site of the primary teratoma, but gonadal dysfunction in males and vertebral anomalies may occur irrespective of where the teratoma is situated.