Gastric teratoma: Our 17 year experience

Background: Teratomas originating from the stomach are extremely rare and account for less than 1% of all cases of teratomas. This site of occurrence has unique diagnostic and management issues. Methods: A single centre case-record review of gastric teratomas presenting between January 2000 and April 2017 was performed. Results: Thirteen children were found to have gastric teratomas. Presenting features were abdominal distension in 12 (92%) and palpable abdominal mass in 9 (69%). At operation, 8 (61%) were exogastric tumors. The tumor was excised with partial gastrectomy (n = 7, 54%), total gastrectomy (n = 1, 8%), partial gastrectomy and limited transverse colectomy (n = 2, 15%), and excision of small part of serosa (mucosal sparing) (n = 3, 23%). Histopathologically, these were identified as mature gastric teratomas in 8 (61%). Three (23%) children died postoperatively. Conclusion: Gastric teratomas are rare, with themajority described as exogastric. Partial gastrectomy is always needed, but occasionally complete gastrectomy is necessary. Overall survival is N75% in our experience. Level of evidence: IV (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.