Teratoma: The monster that may lead to the cure? The term
"teratoma" originating from the Greek word teraton meaning
monster, is used to describe a kind of tumor that forms from
pluripotent germ cells. Pluripotent cells are unique in the way
in which they demonstrate the ability to produce biological
responses very similar to that of normal human tissue.
Teratomata usually consist of a tumor that is very different
compared to the issue of the area in which it is growing. What
is most alarming and many times horrifying about teratomata is
that it can grow hair and teeth very similar to real human
tissue. These tumors have puzzled scientists, psychics, doctors
and patients for centuries. Early beliefs blamed the individual
suffering from the condition for swallowing hair or other body
parts and that this growth was a punishment for cannibalism.
Other beliefs include witchcraft and curses as well as a
punishment for adultery with the devil. While it has not been
proven, certain manuscripts state that due to thei