Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

The sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is an unusual tumour that develops near the coccyx (base of the tailbone) in newborns. Babies with this birth abnormality are more likely to be females than males. Even though the tumours have the potential to become quite large, they are typically not malignant (i.e., cancerous). Although they occasionally cause issues before to delivery, they are typically curable by surgery.

SCT is typically identified by a sonogram because the uterus is larger than it should be or by a blood test on the mother at 16 weeks that reveals a high alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level. Polyhydramnios, a condition marked by an excess of amniotic fluid, frequently contributes to the uterus' enlargement. An ultrasonography examination can be used to determine SCT's diagnosis.

What is the outcome for a fetus with Sacrococcygeal Teratoma?

Surgery administered after birth is successful for the majority of foetuses with sacrococcygeal teratomas. The majority of these tumours are benign. It is predicted that newborns with minor tumours that can be surgically removed together with the coccyx bone would lead normal lives. They must be born in a medical facility with paediatric surgeons and a dedicated nursery. Our standard procedure is to closely monitor kids who underwent an SCT resection after being released from the hospital. We advise ongoing blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and follow-up visits with a paediatric surgeon and oncologist throughout childhood.

Larger tumours or those that rise inside the baby's abdomen would necessitate more difficult postpartum surgery, but these foetuses typically fare well. Again, they will require several years of oncology service monitoring, including blood tests. Large tumours in foetuses, some of which can be as large as the foetus, can be problematic both during pregnancy and after delivery.