An ultralate female growing teratoma syndrome: 19 years after aggressive treatment for advanced ovarian immature teratoma

We report a rare case with the late occurrence of growing teratoma syndrome (GTS). A 24-year-old woman with Grade 3 immature teratoma of ovary underwent complete surgery and chemotherapy. Nineteen years later, she developed hematuria and pelvic mass that was completely resected and pathology revealed mature cystic teratoma. She has regularly followed up with tumor marker and computed tomography every three months. No evidence of disease has been detected throughout 14 years. In addition, we present a brief review of literature of ovarian GTS in the last decade. We have found that advanced stage, high grade, or early recurrence of germ cell tumor (GCT) could be the risk factors of GTS. It tends to appear within 1 year if the patients had the incomplete resection of primary disease. We stress the importance of long-term follow-up after treatment GCT to early recognition and treatment.