Outcomes of prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratomas: the results of a Japanese nationwide survey

Background/PurposeFew large multicenter surveys have been performed on sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) describing both the prenatal and postnatal courses. The aim of this study was to review and report on the prenatal surveillance and postnatal outcome of a large cohort of fetuses with SCTs in Japan.MethodsA nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted on 97 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with SCTs between 2000 and 2009. The prenatal course, perinatal data, and postnatal outcome were reviewed.ResultsEleven pregnancies were terminated before 22 weeks of gestation. Of the 86 remaining fetuses, 3 died in utero, and 83 were delivered. Three infants died before surgery, and 8 infants died after excisional surgery. The overall mortality was 26%, with a mortality excluding terminations of 16%. The gestational age at delivery was younger than 28 weeks in 5, 28 to 31 weeks in 13, 32 to 36 weeks in 27, and 37 weeks or more in 37 cases, with mortality rates of 60%, 38%, 11%, and 0%, respectively. The tumor component was predominantly cystic in 54 and predominantly solid in 32 cases, with mortality rates of 2% and 33%, respectively.ConclusionsThe overall mortality of prenatally diagnosed SCTs excluding terminations was 16%. Early delivery and predominantly solid component tumors were associated with an increased risk of mortality.