Sacrococcygeal teratoma

The authors describe 17 cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma. They conclude that early diagnosis and treatment of all masses in the sacral region is of extreme importance. A teratoma treated in the first 2 or 3 mth shows no malignant complications. After this time, the possibility of metastasis cannot be disregarded. Surgery is the only treatment. The danger of malignancy, infection, perforation or tearing requires that this be done as soon as possible. Clinical and radiological study of the tumor indicate the differential diagnosis, and the surgical technique to follow. Possible retroperitoneal invasion of the tumor should be disregarded. Since the operative mortality is so low (more in this series), operation should never be delayed.