MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Malignant teratoma

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Malignant teratoma

A malignant teratoma is a type of cancer consisting of cysts that contain one or more of the three primary embryonic germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Because malignant teratomas have usually spread by the time of diagnosis, systemic chemotherapy is needed. The prognosis for people with malignant teratomas is based on the size of the tumor, its location and the age of the patient.

Update Date: 9/11/2006

Updated by: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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