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Sacrococcygeal teratoma overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2]

Overview

Overview

Sacrococcygel teratoma was first described by Stanley in 1842. In 1863, first successful surgery was performed on Sacrococcygeal teratoma by Dr. W. Blizard. Between 1950s and 1960s, germ cell theory of the origin of Sacrococcygeal teratoma was introduced.[1] Sacrococcygeal teratoma is one of the most common congenital tumors.[2] The incidence of Sacrococcygeal teratoma is estimated to be 1 in 35,000 births.[2] Sacrococcygeal teratoma is classified into four different categories according to American Academy of Pediatrics Surgery classification based upon the anatomical location of the tumor.[3][4] Subtypes of sacrococcygeal teratoma have different staging systems based on the size and growth of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and the presence of metastasis.[5] Sacrococcygeal teratoma originates from the pluripotent cells in primitive knot or Hensen’s node, which is the primary organizer of embryonic development, located on the anterior surface of the sacrum or coccyx by 2rd or 3rd gestational week.[6] Development of Sacrococcygeal teratoma is associated with gain of chromosomes 1q32-qter regions and losses of the 6q24-qter and 18q21-qter regions.[7][8] The pathophysiology of sacrococcygeal teratoma depends on the histological subtype. Development of sacrococcygeal teratoma is associated with gain of chromosomes 1q32-qter regions and losses of the 6q24-qter and 18q21-qter regions.[7][8] Sacrococcygeal teratoma must be differentiated from endodermal sinus tumor, ependymoma, fibromatosis, ganglioneuroma, giant cell tumor of the sacrum, leiomyoma, meningomyelocele, ovarian teratoma, neuroblastoma, retrorectal hamartoma, intracanalicular epidermoid tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, paraganglioma, dermal sinus stalk ascending towards the conus modulars, and hydromelia.[9] According to the the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for sacrococcygela teratoma.[10] The hallmark of sacrococcygeal teratoma is a protruding mass at the sacrococcygeal region. It is important to obtain the history about the onset, and the progression of the symptoms. Most common symptoms of sacrococcygeal teratoma are due to compression caused by the large tumor mass.[11] Patient with sacrococcygeal teratoma usually are generally well-appearanceing. Physical examination of patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma is usually remarkable for a protruding pre sacral mass.[12] Alpha-Fetoprotein and beta-hCG should be evaluated in patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma to determine the presence of malignant component of the tumor.[13] On x-ray, sacrococcygeal teratoma is characterized by a large mass projecting from the lower pelvic region or within the abdominopelvic cavity.[14] CT scan is not part of the routine investigation of sacrococcygeal teratoma. On CT scan, sacrococcygeal teratoma is characterized by bone, fat, and cystic components.[15] Ultrasound is used to diagnose Sacrococcygeal teratoma in second trimester.[16] Mature sacrococcygeal teratomas tend to be cystic, showing anechoic component. Immature sacrococcygeal teratomas are much rare and solid type, showing echogenic mass within the pelvis.[17] Echocardiography identifies high output cardiac state preceding hydrops fetalis.[18] Colour Doppler studies in sacrococcygeal teratoma may show marked hypervascularity with arterio-venous (AV) shunting.[19] There is no medical treatment for sacrococcygeal teratoma; the mainstay of therapy is surgical.[20] Perinatal surgical intervention is used to decrease cardiovascular complications caused by the large sacrococcygeal teratoma.[21] Early complete resection is the mainstay of management of benign tumor. Complete surgical excision in malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is followed by platinum based chemotherapy.[22] Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. Most of the sacrococcygeal teratomas are benign in nature and prognosis is generally regarded as good after resection.[23] The sacrococcygeal teratoma with cystic morphology is associated with the most favorable prognosis.[24]

Historical Perspective

Historical Perspective

Sacrococcygel teratoma was first described by Stanley in 1842. In 1863, first successful surgery was performed on Sacrococcygeal teratoma by Dr. W. Blizard. Between 1950s and 1960s, germ cell theory of the origin of Sacrococcygeal teratoma was introduced.[1]

Classification

Classification

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is classified into four different categories according to American Academy of Pediatrics Surgery classification based upon the anatomical location of the tumor.[3][4] Subtypes of sacrococcygeal teratoma have different staging systems based on the size and growth of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and the presence of metastasis.[5]

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology

Sacrococcygeal teratoma originates from the pluripotent cells in primitive knot or Hensen’s node, which is the primary organizer of embryonic development, located on the anterior surface of the sacrum or coccyx by 2rd or 3rd gestational week.[25] Development of Sacrococcygeal teratoma is associated with gain of chromosomes 1q32-qter regions and losses of the 6q24-qter and 18q21-qter regions.[7][8] The pathophysiology of sacrococcygeal teratoma depends on the histological subtype.

Causes

Causes

Development of sacrococcygeal teratoma is associated with gain of chromosomes 1q32-qter regions and losses of the 6q24-qter and 18q21-qter regions.[7][8]

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Sacrococcygeal teratoma must be differentiated from endodermal sinus tumor, ependymoma, fibromatosis, ganglioneuroma, giant cell tumor of the sacrum, leiomyoma, meningomyelocele, ovarian teratoma, neuroblastoma, retrorectal hamartoma, intracanalicular epidermoid tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, paraganglioma, dermal sinus stalk ascending towards the conus modulars, and hydromelia.[26]

Epidemiology & Demographics

Epidemiology & Demographics

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is one of the most common congenital tumors.[2] The incidence of Sacrococcygeal teratoma is estimated to be 1 in 35,000 births.[2]

Risk Factors

Risk Factors

There are no established risk factors for sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Screening

Screening

According to the the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for sacrococcygela teratoma.[10]

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. Most of the sacrococcygeal teratomas are benign in nature and prognosis is generally regarded as good after resection.[27] The sacrococcygeal teratoma with cystic morphology is associated with the most favorable prognosis.[24]

History and Symptoms

History and Symptoms

The hallmark of sacrococcygeal teratoma is a protruding mass at the sacrococcygeal region. It is important to obtain the history about the onset, and the progression of the symptoms. Most common symptoms of sacrococcygeal teratoma are due to compression caused by the large tumor mass.[28]

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Patient with sacrococcygeal teratoma usually are generally well-appearanceing. Physical examination of patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma is usually remarkable for a protruding pre sacral mass.[29]

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests

Alpha-Fetoprotein and beta-hCG should be evaluated in patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma to determine the presence of malignant component of the tumor.[13]

Pelvic X-Ray Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Pelvic X-Ray Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

On x-ray, sacrococcygeal teratoma is characterized by a large mass projecting from the lower pelvic region or within the abdominopelvic cavity.[30]

CT Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

CT Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

CT scan is not part of the routine investigation of sacrococcygeal teratoma. On CT scan, sacrococcygeal teratoma is characterized by bone, fat, and cystic components.[31]

Ultrasound Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Ultrasound Findings in Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Ultrasound is used to diagnose Sacrococcygeal teratoma in second trimester.[16] Mature sacrococcygeal teratomas tend to be cystic, showing anechoic component. Immature sacrococcygeal teratomas are much rare and solid type, showing echogenic mass within the pelvis.[32] Echocardiography identifies high output cardiac state preceding hydrops fetalis.[18]

Other Imaging Findings

Other Imaging Findings

Colour Doppler studies in sacrococcygeal teratoma may show marked hypervascularity with arterio-venous (AV) shunting.[33]

Medical Therapy

Medical Therapy

There is no medical treatment for sacrococcygeal teratoma; the mainstay of therapy is surgical.[34]

Surgery

Surgery

Perinatal surgical intervention is used to decrease cardiovascular complications caused by the large sacrococcygeal teratoma.[35] Early complete resection is the mainstay of management of benign tumor. Complete surgical excision in malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is followed by platinum based chemotherapy.[36]

References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Olson JS. The History of Cancer, An Annotated Bibliography. ABC-CLIO; 1989.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sacrococcygeal Teratoma. Cincinnati Children’s (2015)http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/f/fetal-care/conditions/sct/default/ Accessed on November 24, 2015
  3. 3.0 3.1 Puri P, Höllwarth ME. Pediatric Surgery, Diagnosis and Management. Springer Science & Business Media; 2009.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Myers LB, Bulich LA. Anesthesia for Fetal Intervention and Surgery. PMPH-USA; 2005.
  5. 5.0 5.1 DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg’s Cancer, Principles & Practice of Oncology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
  6. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/criog/2012/131369/
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harms D, Zahn S, Göbel U, Schneider DT (2006). “Pathology and molecular biology of teratomas in childhood and adolescence”. Klin Padiatr. 218 (6): 296–302. doi:10.1055/s-2006-942271. PMID 17080330.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Veltman I, Veltman J, Janssen I, Hulsbergen-van de Kaa C, Oosterhuis W, Schneider D, Stoop H, Gillis A, Zahn S, Looijenga L, Göbel U, van Kessel AG (2005). “Identification of recurrent chromosomal aberrations in germ cell tumors of neonates and infants using genomewide array-based comparative genomic hybridization”. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 43 (4): 367–76. doi:10.1002/gcc.20208. PMID 15880464.
  9. Myers LB, Bulich LA. Anesthesia for Fetal Intervention and Surgery. PMPH-USA; 2005.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Recommendations. US preventive services task force(2015) http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/BrowseRec/Search?s=sacrococcygeal+teratoma Accessed on November 25, 2015
  11. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma/
  12. Mahour GH (1988). “Sacrococcygeal teratomas”. CA Cancer J Clin. 38 (6): 362–7. PMID 3141009.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Wu JT, Book L, Sudar K (1981). “Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels in normal infants”. Pediatr. Res. 15 (1): 50–2. PMID 6163129.
  14. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  15. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  16. 16.0 16.1 Wilson RD, Hedrick H, Flake AW, Johnson MP, Bebbington MW, Mann S, Rychik J, Liechty K, Adzick NS (2009). “Sacrococcygeal teratomas: prenatal surveillance, growth and pregnancy outcome”. Fetal. Diagn. Ther. 25 (1): 15–20. doi:10.1159/000188056.
  17. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  18. 18.0 18.1 Adzick NS (2010). “Open fetal surgery for life-threatening fetal anomalies”. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 15 (1): 1–8. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2009.05.003. PMID 19540178.
  19. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  20. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma/
  21. Roybal JL, Moldenhauer JS, Khalek N, Bebbington MW, Johnson MP, Hedrick HL, Adzick NS, Flake AW (2011). “Early delivery as an alternative management strategy for selected high-risk fetal sacrococcygeal teratomas”. J. Pediatr. Surg. 46 (7): 1325–32. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.10.020. PMID 21763829.
  22. Marina NM, Cushing B, Giller R, Cohen L, Lauer SJ, Ablin A, Weetman R, Cullen J, Rogers P, Vinocur C, Stolar C, Rescorla F, Hawkins E, Heifetz S, Rao PV, Krailo M, Castleberry RP (1999). “Complete surgical excision is effective treatment for children with immature teratomas with or without malignant elements: A Pediatric Oncology Group/Children’s Cancer Group Intergroup Study”. J. Clin. Oncol. 17 (7): 2137–43. PMID 10561269.
  23. http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma-sct/about#.VnhH0bRYZFI
  24. 24.0 24.1 Shue E, Bolouri M, Jelin EB, Vu L, Bratton B, Cedars E, Yoke L, Byrne F, Hirose S, Feldstein V, Miniati D, Lee H (2013). “Tumor metrics and morphology predict poor prognosis in prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma: a 25-year experience at a single institution”. J. Pediatr. Surg. 48 (6): 1225–31. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.03.016. PMID 23845611.
  25. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/criog/2012/131369/
  26. Myers LB, Bulich LA. Anesthesia for Fetal Intervention and Surgery. PMPH-USA; 2005.
  27. http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma-sct/about#.VnhH0bRYZFI
  28. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma/
  29. Mahour GH (1988). “Sacrococcygeal teratomas”. CA Cancer J Clin. 38 (6): 362–7. PMID 3141009.
  30. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  31. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  32. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  33. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/sacrococcygeal-teratoma
  34. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sacrococcygeal-teratoma/
  35. Roybal JL, Moldenhauer JS, Khalek N, Bebbington MW, Johnson MP, Hedrick HL, Adzick NS, Flake AW (2011). “Early delivery as an alternative management strategy for selected high-risk fetal sacrococcygeal teratomas”. J. Pediatr. Surg. 46 (7): 1325–32. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.10.020. PMID 21763829.
  36. Marina NM, Cushing B, Giller R, Cohen L, Lauer SJ, Ablin A, Weetman R, Cullen J, Rogers P, Vinocur C, Stolar C, Rescorla F, Hawkins E, Heifetz S, Rao PV, Krailo M, Castleberry RP (1999). “Complete surgical excision is effective treatment for children with immature teratomas with or without malignant elements: A Pediatric Oncology Group/Children’s Cancer Group Intergroup Study”. J. Clin. Oncol. 17 (7): 2137–43. PMID 10561269.


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