Large, complex, benign cystic teratoma in an adolescent.

Germ cell tumors make up 15% to 20% of all ovarian tumors, 95% of which are dermoid cysts, also known as benign cystic teratomas. Primarily ectodermally derived, tissues can grow from any of the germ cell layers. Tumors occur bilaterally in 10% of cases, and there appears to be an increased rate of sterility in patients with cystic teratomas. These tumors are found in women of reproductive age, undergo malignant transformation only rarely ( 1%), and are most conducive to surgical cure. We report an unusual case of an asymptomatic, advanced benign cystic teratoma in a young adolescent.