Nationwide Children’s Hospital Nationwide Children's Hospital Logo

Conditions We Treat

Cervical Teratoma
(Giant Neck Mass)

A giant neck mass is an abnormal growth of the neck. There are two different types of masses including cervical teratomas and lymphatic malformations. The cause of it is unknown, but it can be treated.

What Is a Cervical Teratoma (Giant Neck Mass)?

A cervical teratoma is a very rare tumor. It is typically not cancerous and is often part solid and part fluid. Signs are typically seen on the routine 18-week ultrasound. These tumors can be large and cause changes to the structure of your baby’s neck and face. They can also make it hard for your baby to breathe and swallow. The cause is unknown. They are not passed on by parents, and they do not run in families.

Speak With Our Team

How Is a Cervical Teratoma Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of a giant neck mass is typically done by ultrasound during pregnancy. Your doctor may refer you to a fetal center like Nationwide Children’s for a comprehensive evaluation and or order additional testing, such as:

  • Ultrasound: A type of imaging that uses sound waves to see inside the body. This can help the doctor see the giant neck mass or if there is excess amniotic fluid.
  • Fetal MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This type of imaging gives more detailed pictures of your baby’s organs that may not have been seen on ultrasound, such as the airway or the esophagus. 

How Is a Cervical Teratoma Treated?

Ultrasounds will be done on a regular basis for the rest of your pregnancy to watch the tumor’s growth and the amount of amniotic fluid. During pregnancy, the mass could block your baby’s airway and esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquids to the stomach).

If your baby’s airway is blocked when it’s time to deliver, you may be scheduled for an ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure, which is a special surgery delivery.

What Is My Baby’s Outcome (Prognosis)?

Finding this condition during pregnancy and treating it early increases your baby’s chances of survival. In most cases, the tumors are not cancerous (benign), and your child can live a long life.

Speak With Our Team

Our team is here to help as soon as you learn your baby may have a fetal concern or diagnosis. And a physician referral is not required. Our expert team evaluates and treats nearly every fetal complication, from the most common to the most complex conditions. With access to advanced diagnostic imaging, ultrasounds and fetal MRIs, you'll find the answers, and the treatment, here.

Looking for a second opinion? The Fetal Center team can help. Our team of specialists work together to provide comprehensive feedback on your diagnosis and treatment plan through either an in-person visit or via an online written report. Our team can help you decide which is right for you.

Complete the form below or call (614) 869-4609 and the Fetal Center team will be in touch with you.

 

Personal Information

Obstetrician/Gynecologist Information

Related Items

The Fetal Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital

It's Different Here

It’s part of our name. It’s part of our culture. We treat families from across the nation and around the world. Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born. They cause 1 in every 5 deaths in the first year of life. And we are on a mission to improve outcomes for as many families as we can.

The Fetal Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Meet the Experts

Nothing is more important than the health of you and your baby. Each family will meet with experts from the Fetal Center as well as pediatric, maternal fetal medicine and surgical specialists based on your baby’s diagnosis.

The Fetal Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital

What to Expect

You and your baby’s health mean everything. We know this can be a very stressful and scary time. That’s expected with any high-risk pregnancy. Your obstetrician/gynecologist may have told you that your baby has a health condition and referred you to a fetal center.