Vietnamese teen girl undergoes surgery to remove 4.3kg ovarian tumor with teeth, hair, bone

The patient had experienced a steadily enlarging abdomen and persistent dull pain for more than five months, her family said.

The symptoms were initially mistaken for weight gain or normal pubertal changes, delaying medical attention.

She was only taken to the hospital after her abdomen became severely distended and a large, firm mass extending toward the chest was detected.

Examinations, including ultrasound and imaging, revealed a large mass originating from the right ovary, suspected to be a malignant germ cell tumor, a type of cancer more commonly seen in children and adolescents.

Doctors also detected another mass about eight centimeters in size on the left ovary, believed to be a benign dermoid cyst.

Given the risks, the patient was promptly scheduled for surgery.

During the procedure, surgeons removed the entire 4.3-kilogram tumor from the right ovary intact.

The mass was found to contain multiple components, including teeth, hair, bone, and poorly differentiated tissue, features typical of germ cell tumors.

Doctors also removed a tumor from the left ovary while preserving healthy tissue to maintain the patient’s reproductive and hormonal functions.

Following surgery, the patient is now conscious, in stable condition, and able to eat and drink normally, doctors said.

Dr. Nguyen Van Thang, head of the hospital’s gynecologic oncology department and the lead surgeon, said removing the tumor intact is crucial.

“If a malignant tumor ruptures during surgery, cancer cells can spread within the abdominal cavity, increasing the risk of recurrence and making postoperative chemotherapy necessary,” he said.

“By contrast, complete removal significantly increases the likelihood that chemotherapy can be avoided, reducing the overall treatment burden,” Dr. Thang added.

Doctors said the case is highly unusual and serves as a clear warning against complacency in monitoring children’s health, particularly during puberty.

Dr. Thang advised parents to pay close attention to signs such as abnormal abdominal enlargement or prolonged pain and to distinguish them from normal physiological changes.

He urged families to seek medical care promptly when such symptoms arise and to maintain regular health check-ups, noting that early detection can improve outcomes and help preserve fertility and long-term quality of life.