TERATOMA:WHAT IS IT?

A teratoma is a tumor  that may be monondermal or polydermal with tissue or organ components which looks like normal derivatives of more than one germ layer. Teratomas have been reported to contain hair, teeth, bone , very rarely, more complex organs or processes such as eyes, torso, and hands, feet, or other limbs.
Usually, a teratoma may contain one or more tissues normally found in organs such as the brain, thyroid, liver, and lung. When a large cyst occurs, there is a potential for the teratoma to produce a structure within the cyst that resembles a fetus. Since they are encapsulated, teratomas are usually benign, although several forms of malignant teratoma are known. A mature teratoma is typically benign and found more commonly in women, while an immature teratoma is typically malignant and is more often found in men.
Teratomas are thought to be present at birth (congenital), but small ones are often not discovered until much later in life.