Familial benign cystic teratomata.

A family with benign cystic teratomata in three successive generations is described. Other familial occurrences of these tumors have been reported; but not in three generations. Familial occurrence suggests an inherited characteristic for parthenogenic development and the occurrence of teratomata in twins and triplets supports the theory of a parthenogenic etiology. Benign cystic teratomata may, therefore, be tumors whose origin is genetically controlled.