Envision, a tumor so repulsive, it violates the very laws of physiology, turning normal tissues at odds with their own nature. According to Merriam Webster, a teratoma is defined as a tumor derived from more than one embryonic layer and made up of a heterogeneous mixture of tissues, such as epithelium, bone, cartilage, or muscle. The name teratoma, originates from the ancient greek prefix of terato, meaning monster, combined with the suffix oma, meaning mass. Therefore, it can be interpreted, the phrase teratoma, denotes a monstrous mass. Indeed, teratomas, are of grotesque quality, seeing as they are not limited by normal anatomical boundaries. Even more, they may even contain hair, teeth, fat, bone, and sometimes complex organs (see fig 1).
The etiology of a teratoma is still not fully understood, since it pertains to the category of germ cell tumors. Even so, teratomas are most commonly found in certain organs, such as the brain, thyroid, liver, lungs, ovaries, and testes. Subsequently, teratomas are believed to be caused by the abnormal development or migration of either germ cells or embryonic (stem) cells during embryogenesis. If the teratoma is of germ cell origin, then it will be located in either the testes or ovaries. However, if it is derived from embryonic cells, then it can be located anywhere from the sutures of the skull, all the way down the coccyx. With this in mind, embryonic teratomas are congenital, which means they either exist before birth, at birth, or develop within one month after birth. Germ cell teratomas, are not believed to be congenital, but this is not known for certain.
Although, most teratomas are benign due to being encapsulated, some have to the potential to be malignant. Moreover, a teratoma can be categorized into one of two groups, mature and immature. A mature teratoma is usually benign, and is either solid, cystic, or both (see fig 2). Mature teratomas differentiate highly, and contain all types of tissues. A specific kind of mature teratoma that commonly contains hair follicles inside, is known as a dermoid cyst, and is occurs mostly in the ovaries and in the sutures of the skull (see fig 3).
An immature teratoma is a type of malignant germ cell tumor, and can contain the same entities as a mature teratoma, with the exception of containing primitive neuroepithelial, which is considered to be the “stem cells” of the nervous system.
The exact cause of hypothalamic tumors is not known. It is likely that they result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In children, most hypothalamic tumors are gliomas. Gliomas are a common type of brain tumor that results from the abnormal growth of glial cells, which are a type of cells that support nerve cells. Gliomas can occur at any age
Glioblastomas (GBM) are tumors that arise from the supportive tissues of the brain. These supportive tissues are composed of astrocytes, star-shaped glial cells that play a very important role in neural functioning. Glioblastomas are highly malignant because astrocytes reproduce quickly and are supported by a large network of blood vessels. Although they are generally found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, glioblastomas can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. The tumors come from normal brain cells, so it is easy for them to invade and live within normal brain tissue. However, glioblastoma rarely spreads elsewhere in the body. (1)
Although, it is easy to believe that all cells in a tumor are neoplastic, evidence suggests otherwise. There are three characteristics that are present in all KS cells whether they are neoplastic or not. The first is absence of a histologically distinguishable neoplastic cell. The second is the lack of usual chromosomal abnormalities. The last is a combination of three features angiogenesis, inflammation, and proliferation.
Abnormal cysts have a distinct membrane and division on nearby tissue of the outer or capsular portion of the wall of the area it is located. There are three different types of benign breast lumps: cyst, fibro adenomas and pseudo lumps. Fibro adenoma is a benign breast lump that usually occurs in women under the age of forty and is usually genetically passed down from their mothers. They can sometimes disappear on their own accord
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer that starts in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of parietal and visceral membranes, thin layers of tissue, which surround organs and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the visceral membrane. The visceral and parietal membranes that make up the mesothelium. This fluid helps organs move easily among surrounding structures. In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during normal breathing as the lung expands. The most common place for mesothelioma to develop is in the mesothelial membrane, also called the pleural lining, surrounding the lungs.
There are two main categories of brain tumors as to the seriousness; Malignant, and Benign. A Malignant tumor can grow and spread aggressively, and overpower other healthy cells by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. A Benign tumor is less serious than a Malignant, however, it can still cause many problems in the brain by pressing on nearby tissue. They are typically slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body. Benign brain tumors can be considered Malignant if they are located in areas of the brain that control vital functions like breathing. Unlike benign tumors, the cell structure of a malignant brain tumor is largely different than normal brain cells. Malignant tumors tend to grow faster and can be more invasive than benign tumors. They are also are life threatening. Tumors are classified as grades one through four. The more aggressive a brain tumor is, the higher the score. Another type of tumor is the pituitary tumor. A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the pituitary gland. It’s about the size of a pea and it’s located at the center of the brain behind the nose and eyes. "Malignant and Benign Brain Tumors."
Tumors and growths of all kinds can form in the thyroid gland. Thyroid tumors are usually benign, which is not cancerous; but doesn’t mean that they can’t be malignant, which are cancerous and spread quickly into nearby tissues and other glandular areas of the body. Thyroid cancer can happen to anyone at any age. According to the Essentials of Human Diseases and Conditions textbook; “The four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary (small nipple-like projections), follicular (saclike balls of cells), medullary (affecting the interior portion of the gland, and anaplastic (loss of differentiations of cells).” (Schell Frazier & Drzymkowski Wist, 2013)
The word melanoma comes from the Greek words, melas (black) and -oma (tumour). It is a very serious cancer that most often occurs in the skin and less frequently in the eye or in the lining of the nose, mouth, or genitals. Melanoma begins in melanocytes, cells that make a pigment called melanin. Both light- and dark-skinned people have melanin, which gives colour to the skin, hair, and parts of the eye.
Germ cell tumors develop from the cells that produce the ova (eggs) in the ovaries. Most germ cell tumors are benign (non-cancerous), although some are cancerous and may be life threatening. Primarily, these tumors affect teenagers and women in their early 20s. The three most common germ cell tumors are teraomas, dysgerminomas, and endodermal sinus tumors. About 5% of ovarian cancer cases begin in ovary germ cells.
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the male’s testicles first then spreads to other parts of the body. It most commonly spreads to the lymph nodes after it spreads throughout the testicles. Testicles are part of the male’s reproductive system that makes testosterone, the male hormone, and sperm. It is treatable and can usually be cured. The signs of testicular cancer are lumps, swelling, and pain in your testicles. You can check for these lumps yourself, but it is better and more important to check with your doctor for lumps annually. Testicular cancer isn’t caused by much, but there are some risks.
Usually, normal cells die when they are old or damaged, newly grow cells will replace them. However, if something goes wrong, there may be too many new cells when the body only needs a few of them, and the body can’t get rid of old cells, it builds up a mass of tissue called tumor. There are two types of tumor, begin or malignant. Begin tumors are usually not harmful to human body, however, malignant tumors could be life threatening. This type of tumors will invade organs and tissues around them, travel through blood vessels or lymph vessels, attach to other tissues and destroy them. Malignant tumors arise in breast tissues and cause breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world (Breast). Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed: one in eight women will have breast cancer (Walgreens, 2011; Chen, 2010). “I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I'd hear those devastating words: 'You have breast cancer.' “- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a democratic representative of Florida (2011).
Most parents remembered hearing about the importance of protecting their children from the sun, yet children are still playing in the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing. Many people these days are not taking skin cancer seriously after knowing its significance. Skin cancer has been a growing problem in the United States and millions of people have suffered from it every year. The three most common skin cancers are Melanoma, Basal cell, and Squamous cell, which can cause bumps, sores, growths, etc. Skin cancer is a deadly disease with many causes, but the advantage is that it can be prevented.
Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of
The history of endometrial cancer is very vague, but there are a lot of factors and facts from previous patients that need to be concerned. From the sources that I have research, there was not a definite name that individuals could say discovered the cancer. Many scientists and doctors really do not talk about the cancer. This cancer basically has the supported information of how it happens, where it happens in the body, how can it be treated, and who to turn to when you need help. Endometrial cancer is found in the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. The endometrium which is found in a woman’s pelvic area and this is where the fetus grows until birth. Endometrial cancer occurs when cells of the endometrium begin to grow and multiply without the control mechanisms that normally limit their growth. As the cells grow, they form a tumor.