Gastric teratoma: Our 17 year experience

Abstract

BackgroundTeratomas originating from the stomach are extremely rare and account for less than 1% of all cases of teratomas. This site of occurrence has unique diagnostic and management issues. MethodsA single centre case-record review of gastric teratomas presenting between January 2000 and April 2017 was performed. ResultsThirteen children were found to have gastric teratomas. Presenting features were abdominal distension in 12 (92%) and palpable abdominal mass in 9 (69%). At operation, 8 (61%) were exogastric tumors. The tumor was excised with partial gastrectomy (n=7, 54%), total gastrectomy (n=1, 8%), partial gastrectomy and limited transverse colectomy (n=2, 15%), and excision of small part of serosa (mucosal sparing) (n=3, 23%). Histopathologically, these were identified as mature gastric teratomas in 8 (61%). Three (23%) children died postoperatively. ConclusionGastric teratomas are rare, with the majority described as exogastric. Partial gastrectomy is always needed, but occasionally complete gastrectomy is necessary. Overall survival is >75% in our experience. Level of evidenceIV