Granulosa Cell Tumors

Chapter 131 Granulosa Cell Tumors



INTRODUCTION



Description: A granulosa cell tumor is a sex cord stromal tumor of the ovary made up of granulosa cells (sex cord) and stromal cells (thecal cells or fibroblasts). The tumor often secretes estrogen.

Prevalence: Six percent of ovarian neoplasms and the majority of hormonally active tumors.

Predominant Age: Any, 5% before puberty, most before age 40.

Genetics: No genetic pattern.


ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS



Causes: Unknown.

Risk Factors: None known.


CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS



Signs and Symptoms



• Asymptomatic

• Enlarging or ruptured adnexal mass (may present with acute pain and an acute abdomen with hemoperitoneum, 6%); 10% to 15% are not palpable; tumors are bilateral in <2% of cases.

• Ascites (10%)

• Precocious (pseudoprecocious) puberty in young children (5%) (granulosa tumors are responsible of 10% of precocious puberty cases)

• Abnormal menstrual patterns, menorrhagia, amenorrhea

• Postmenopausal bleeding


DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH



Differential Diagnosis



• Benign adnexal masses (corpus luteum, follicular cyst)

• Endometriosis

• Hydrosalpinx

• Paratubal cyst

• Appendiceal abscess

• Pedunculated leiomyomata

• Pelvic or horseshoe kidney

• Nongynecologic pelvic masses

• Hepatic, renal, or cardiac disease resulting in weight loss and ascites

• Ectopic pregnancy (reproductive-age women)

• Gastrointestinal malignancy (colon, stomach)


Associated Conditions:

Related posts:

  1. Cervical Cancer
  2. Virilization
  3. Puberty: Abnormal
  4. Sheehan’s Syndrome

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Jun 6, 2016 | Posted by in GYNECOLOGY | Comments Off on Granulosa Cell Tumors

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