Illustration of ovarian cells spreading in the abdomen after surgery

Unexpected Twist: Benign Tumor Seeds After Surgery!

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the rare case of benign cystic teratoma deposits spreading after surgery and what it means for women's health."

In the realm of medical anomalies, a recent case illuminates a rare and unexpected complication following the surgical removal of a mature benign cystic teratoma, a type of ovarian tumor. Typically, these tumors are considered harmless, but this instance reveals a potential for the tumor cells to spread within the abdominal cavity, leading to the development of new growths.

This case report details how a woman, who had undergone surgery to remove an ovarian mature benign cystic teratoma five years prior, presented with recurrent abdominal pain. Subsequent imaging revealed multiple unusual lesions within her abdomen, containing a mix of fat, soft tissue, and calcification.

The findings, initially perplexing, were eventually identified as deposits of the original benign cystic teratoma. This phenomenon, while rare, underscores the importance of long-term monitoring and awareness of potential post-surgical complications, even in cases of seemingly benign tumors.

What Are Mature Benign Cystic Teratomas?

Illustration of ovarian cells spreading in the abdomen after surgery

Mature benign cystic teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are a common type of ovarian tumor, particularly in women under 45. These tumors originate from germ cells, which are cells that can develop into any type of tissue in the body. As a result, mature cystic teratomas can contain a variety of tissues, such as skin, hair, teeth, and fat. They are almost always benign and slow-growing.

These tumors are usually located in the ovary, where common complications are rupture, torsion, or malignant transformation. Teratomas can occur in other locations; intra-cranially, intra-orbitally, in the mediastinum, in the sacrococcygeal region, and in the testes.

Typical contents: Sebum-filled cyst cavity, teeth, hair, adipose tissue, or bone (Rokitansky nodule).
Common locations: Ovary, but can occur elsewhere.
Usual complications: Rupture, torsion, malignant transformation (rare).

The case highlights a rare complication where cells from the original tumor spread and implant in the abdominal cavity, leading to the growth of new teratomas. This is thought to occur during the initial surgery, with cells detaching and seeding in other areas.

Key Takeaway: Awareness and Vigilance

This unusual case underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance following surgical removal of ovarian mature benign cystic teratomas. While the risk of tumor seeding is low, patients should be informed of this potential complication and advised to report any new or unusual abdominal symptoms to their healthcare providers. Furthermore, radiologists and surgeons should be aware of this possibility when evaluating patients with a history of ovarian teratoma removal who present with new intra-abdominal lesions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a mature benign cystic teratoma, and why is it usually considered harmless?

A mature benign cystic teratoma, also known as a dermoid cyst, is a type of ovarian tumor that commonly occurs in women, particularly those under 45. These tumors originate from germ cells and can contain various tissues like skin, hair, teeth, and fat. The reason they are usually considered harmless is because they are almost always benign (non-cancerous) and slow-growing. However, this case report highlights a rare exception to this general rule, showing that even these benign tumors can, in specific instances, lead to complications.

How can a mature benign cystic teratoma spread after surgery, and what are the implications?

In rare cases, cells from a mature benign cystic teratoma can spread during the surgical removal process. These cells can detach and seed in other areas of the abdominal cavity, leading to the development of new growths. The implications of this are significant because, even though the original tumor was benign, these new growths (teratomas) can cause recurrent abdominal pain and require further medical intervention for diagnosis and management. This underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance post-surgery.

What are the typical contents and locations of a mature benign cystic teratoma?

A mature benign cystic teratoma typically contains a sebum-filled cyst cavity, along with components such as teeth, hair, adipose tissue, or bone, often referred to as a Rokitansky nodule. While these tumors are most commonly found in the ovary, they can also occur in other locations throughout the body. These other locations can include the intra-cranially, intra-orbitally, in the mediastinum, in the sacrococcygeal region, and in the testes.

What kind of symptoms might a patient experience if a mature benign cystic teratoma spreads after surgical removal?

If a mature benign cystic teratoma spreads after surgical removal, patients may experience a range of symptoms. The most commonly reported symptom is recurrent abdominal pain. The pain can vary in intensity and location. Other possible symptoms include bloating, changes in bowel habits, and a general feeling of unwellness. These symptoms necessitate medical investigation and imaging to identify the new growths within the abdominal cavity.

What should patients and healthcare providers be aware of after the surgical removal of a mature benign cystic teratoma?

After the surgical removal of a mature benign cystic teratoma, patients should be aware of the potential for rare complications, such as tumor seeding and the development of new growths. Patients should be advised to report any new or unusual abdominal symptoms to their healthcare providers. Healthcare providers, including radiologists and surgeons, should be vigilant and consider the possibility of post-surgical tumor spread when evaluating patients with a history of ovarian teratoma removal who present with new intra-abdominal lesions. This awareness helps ensure early diagnosis and appropriate management of any complications.