A 21-year-old woman presents with left lower quadrant pain. An anterior 7-cm firm adnexal mass is palpated. Ultrasound confirms a complex left adnexal mass with solid components that appears to contain a tooth.
What percentage of these tumors is bilateral?
A. Less than 1Benign cystic teratomas (dermoids) are the most common germ cell tumors, and account for about 20% to 25% of all ovarian neoplasms. They occur primarily during the reproductive years, but may also occur in postmenopausal women and in children. Dermoids are usually unilateral, but 10% are bilateral. Usually the tumors are asymptomatic, but they can cause severe pain if there is torsion or if the sebaceous material perforates, spills, and creates a reactive peritonitis.