A
dermoid cyst (or
benign cystic
teratoma) is a non-
cancerous
tumor (usually... the incidence of
malignant dermoids is about 1%). They are commonly found on the
ovaries of young
women (
dermoids account for 10% of all
benign ovarian tumors), the
gonads of
men, or around the orbits of the
eyes on the
skull. These
tumors are unique in that they can contain
hair,
teeth,
fat,
cartilage, and just about any other type of
cell.
On the ovaries, these may be caused by an unfertilized
egg cell trying to develop into a
human. They are average 2-4" in diameter. They are usually
asymptomatic unless they are large enough to interfere with other organs or if the
cyst becomes twisted or
ruptured.
Outside the
ovaries, these
tumors may be present from
birth.
references: www.webmd.com, www.estronaut.com
curious as to what one looks like? http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medicine/pathology/ed/ch_18/c18_dermoid_gross.html