Image Description
Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor - Clinical Features: Steroid cell tumors can occur at any age (range 2 to 80 years); the average age at presentation is 43 years which is younger than other types of steroid cell tumors. Most are unilateral. Patients may have non-specific complaints such as abdominal pain, swelling, or symptoms related to a mass.
About 50% have virilizing symptoms (defeminization, hirsutism, amenorrhea) and 10% have estrogenic effects (postmenopausal bleeding, menorrhagia). Some patients even develop endometrioid carcinoma. Rare cases have progestational effects or Cushing syndrome. Some cases are biologically inactive at the clinical level. Cases have been reported in association with von Hippel Lindau disease.
Laboratory findings include elevated levels of 17-ketosteroids, testosterone, and/or androstenedione.
About this image: Steroid cell tumor of the ovary with a characteristic yellow-brown cut surface. Image courtesy of: Anurag Sharma, MD; used with permission.
About 50% have virilizing symptoms (defeminization, hirsutism, amenorrhea) and 10% have estrogenic effects (postmenopausal bleeding, menorrhagia). Some patients even develop endometrioid carcinoma. Rare cases have progestational effects or Cushing syndrome. Some cases are biologically inactive at the clinical level. Cases have been reported in association with von Hippel Lindau disease.
Laboratory findings include elevated levels of 17-ketosteroids, testosterone, and/or androstenedione.
About this image: Steroid cell tumor of the ovary with a characteristic yellow-brown cut surface. Image courtesy of: Anurag Sharma, MD; used with permission.