Somatic malignant transformation of teratoma in children and adolescents - Case series with literature review

Somatic malignant transformation (SMT) is defined as the development of non germ cell malignant neoplasm within a teratoma. Malignant change can occur in any of the various components of the three germ cell layers. In adults, more than 80 % of all malignant transformations are squamous cell carcinoma, the rest being adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor. In children, SMT are very uncommon and reports are limited. We report a case series of three children who presented with SMT of a teratoma. We also undertook a literature search of published reports on SMT in children.