Growing Teratoma Syndrome Treated by Interferon alpha-2β: Case Report and Literature Review

A 14-year old girl was diagnosed as suffering from an immature teratoma. As removal of the teratoma was technically unfeasible, the patient was started on interferon α 2β, 3 MU/day, 5 days per week. On this therapy, the growth of the teratoma was stopped and the patient has been well for the past 50 months. She continues to be treated with interferon α 2β, with almost no side effects and no restrictions of her everyday activities, with a good quality of life. She is able to attend school regularly, travels abroad frequently, and participates fully in everyday activities normal for her age and social conditions. Her Karnofsky performance status is 100. This case demonstrates the efficacy of interferon α 2β therapy in certain instances of growing teratoma syndrome, even when the tumorous mass is initially quite large.