Dermoid cysts are among the most bizarre of cysts. They can contain bits and pieces of every type of human tissue such as bone, teeth, skin, nail, hair, cartilage, neural tissue, etc.
This happens because they develop from undifferentiated germ cells that are capable of producing all human tissues. They do this without any sort of fertilization.
Dermoid cysts are very common and account for nearly half of all benign ovarian tumors. They can appear on the face, scalp, or neck and on one or both ovaries. About 15 percent of dermoid cysts are found on both ovaries. Despite their strange nature, 98 percent of these cysts are benign.
They normally measure between 2 to 6 inches in diameter. Usually they don’t cause any symptoms unless they become large enough to press on the surrounding organs such as the intestines, bladder, or rectum.
Severe pain may be experienced in the abdominal or pelvic area if the cyst twists on itself or ruptures. Of course it is not possible make a self diagnosis just on the basis of these symptoms. A dermoid cyst can only be identified by a doctor since the symptoms by themselves are not different from any other type of ovarian cyst.
Dermoids may be present from birth. However, they usually remain small and undetected in women until they reach 20 to 40 years of age. By then the cyst has grown large enough to cause symptoms. Unlike functional cysts, dermoid cysts will not go away by themselves and may require surgery for removal if they become a health risk.
Complications from continued growth of dermoid cysts:
1.) The cysts can become inflamed.
2.) They may cause peritonitis or the irritation of the abdominal cavity.
3.) They can cause a condition known as ovarian torsion in which they can twist around. This twisting may cut off the blood supply to the ovaries.
4.) They may rupture, releasing their contents into the abdominal region which then affects the surrounding organs.
As with other types of complex ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts should be monitored closely.
More detail on Benign teratomas and Dermoid Cysts:
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