'Shocking' when children also get ovarian tumors, one is only 3 years old

When it comes to ovarian tumors, many people still think that the disease only occurs in adult women. However, in reality, this disease can occur in children, and there are even cases of malignant progression if not detected and treated promptly.

Surgeons remove ovarian tumors from children - Photo: BVCC

How to detect and treat ovarian tumors in children early?

Stories of little girls

Recently, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital successfully performed surgery on a malignant ovarian tumor measuring more than 24cm in size for a 15-year-old girl. The patient is N. (15 years old, Bac Ninh).

The girl’s mother said that a few months ago, her daughter often complained of stomach pain and her belly gradually grew bigger, but the family thought that her weight gain was due to her nutritious diet. After the 10th grade entrance exam, when her belly grew abnormally fast, the family took her to the Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital for examination.

At the hospital, the results confirmed that this was an immature ovarian teratoma - a rare malignant tumor in adolescents. Doctors removed the tumor and removed the entire "giant" tumor.

Or in Quang Ninh , a 12-year-old girl was hospitalized due to lower abdominal pain. The ultrasound results shocked the family: the child's left ovary had a 8.6cm dermoid cyst. During the surgery, the doctor discovered that the tube and ovary were twisted twice, and the tumor contained hair, teeth, and sebaceous tissue - characteristics of a teratoma. Fortunately, the surgery helped preserve the child's reproductive function.

Not only adolescents, even young children can get the disease. The National Children's Hospital once admitted a 3-year-old girl, T. ( Hai Phong ), due to abdominal pain and vomiting. CT scan results showed a cystic tumor in the pelvis, with a diameter of nearly 5cm. Doctors diagnosed an ovarian teratoma and performed laparoscopic surgery to remove and preserve the patient's ovary.

After discovering that their child had an ovarian tumor, the families were surprised because they did not think that the child would get the disease at such a young age.

Signs should not be ignored

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thanh, head of the specialist examination department at Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, ovarian cysts are a common gynecological disease, of which 15% can be malignant. Ovarian cancer accounts for 30% of all female genital cancers and ranks 5th among common cancers in women.

"The worrying thing is that tumors often progress silently, without obvious symptoms. Many cases are only discovered during a general ultrasound or when the tumor has metastasized. In children, the symptoms are even more vague, easily confused with abdominal pain due to digestion or appendicitis," Dr. Thanh emphasized.

Dr. Vu Manh Hoan, deputy director of the General Surgery Center, National Children's Hospital, also warned that in many cases of children with abdominal pain, the family thought it was a digestive disorder, or the facility misdiagnosed, causing the tumor to be detected late, leading to ovarian necrosis, forcing removal. This seriously affects future reproductive health.

Dr. Hoan added that ovarian tumors include two main types: cystic and solid. Of which, serous cysts can form in the womb due to hormonal influences, but often gradually shrink after birth. Ovarian teratoma is more common, can grow large, causing torsion, rupture or compression of other organs.

As for ovarian teratoma, Dr. Thanh also said that this is a type of tumor that can occur in childbearing age, postmenopausal age or in children, 10% of teratoma can occur during pregnancy. In which, the cyst wall has a skin-like structure with a layer of horn, fat, sweat in the cyst containing hair, teeth, and bean curd. Symptoms are often vague and unclear, often detected during gynecological examination, abdominal ultrasound, and abdominal X-ray.

Statistics show that 90% of ovarian tumors in children are benign, but doctors emphasize that when the tumor is 5cm or larger in diameter, surgery should be considered to avoid complications.
danger.

Pay attention if your child has frequent stomach aches.

Medical experts recommend that parents pay special attention if their children often have stomach aches, unusually large stomachs, nausea or menstrual disorders during puberty.

Taking children for early check-ups, abdominal ultrasounds and regular gynecological examinations are important in detecting tumors, increasing the chance of preserving the ovaries and reproductive function of the child.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/soc-khi-tre-em-cung-mac-u-buong-trung-co-be-moi-3-tuoi-20250910222936515.htm