Teratomas of rare sites: a review of ten cases

Out of 267 cases of teratomas diagnosed in the department of pathology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab from January 1980 to December 1989, 10 cases occurred in rare sites ie, 3 cases of teratoma in retroperitoneal space, 3 in the floor of the mouth, one each in mediastinum, thyroid, urinary bladder and kidney. None of these cases was clinically suspected as teratoma. One of the 3 teratomas of the retroperitoneal space and that of kidney were solid. Lesions of mediastinum and urinary bladder were solid as well as cystic. All these teratomas showed foci of immature elements. All other tumours were cystic and contained mature tissues only. Teratomas of the thyroid and kidney were treated with subtotal thyroidectomy and nephrectomy respectively, rest had surgical resection. One patient of immature retroperitoneal teratoma was lost to follow-up. All the others are alive and well for the period of 1 to 8 years. None had recurrence.