The correct spelling for a "dermoid tumor" is "dɜrmɔɪd tuːmər". The IPA phonetic transcription reveals that the first syllable is pronounced with an "ɜ" sound as in "fern", the second syllable with an "ɔɪ" sound as in "boy", and the third syllable with an unstressed "ə" sound as in "sofa". The word derives from the Greek "derma" meaning "skin" and "eidos" meaning "form", which reflects the benign cystic nature of this type of tumor that contains tissues like hair, sweat glands, and even teeth.
A dermoid tumor is a benign cystic growth that can develop anywhere in the body where germ cells are present, including the skin, ovaries, and other sites. This type of tumor is classified as a mature teratoma, which means it contains a variety of tissues from multiple germ cell layers.
Dermoid tumors often appear as smooth, painless, and slow-growing masses. They typically consist of a thick cystic wall that encloses a mixture of various tissues, such as skin, hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, fat, and sometimes teeth, bone, or cartilage. These components resemble normal tissue structures but are often disorganized and lacking in normal function.
The development of dermoid tumors is believed to be congenital, arising from remnants of embryonic tissues that become trapped during early fetal development. They can become noticeable later in life, and they may grow slowly over time. While dermoid tumors are typically benign and do not spread to other parts of the body, in rare cases, they may grow large enough to cause pain, discomfort, or distortion of adjacent structures.
Treatment of dermoid tumors depends on their location, size, and symptoms. In most cases, surgical removal is recommended to alleviate any symptoms and to rule out the possibility of malignancy. The prognosis for patients with dermoid tumors is generally excellent, with minimal risk of recurrence or complications after complete surgical excision.
See dermoid (2).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "dermoid" is derived from the Greek roots "derma", meaning "skin", and "-oid", meaning "resembling". "Tumor" comes from the Latin word "tumor", which means "swelling" or "mass". Therefore, the term "dermoid tumor" refers to a type of growth or mass that resembles or originates from the skin.