Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mature, benign cystic teratomas of the ovary are common in reproductive-age women, but they are very rarely associated with androgen production and subsequent development of hirsutism or virilization. We describe a case of postmenopausal hirsutism and hyperandrogenism caused by a mature cystic teratoma as well as the 7 previously reported cases. CASE: A 55-year-old, postmenopausal woman presented with hirsutism and unilateral lower extremity edema. Pelvic ultrasound showed a complex cystic mass in the left ovary measuring 6.0 × 7.0 × 10 cm, and laboratory evaluations revealed progressively increasing testosterone levels. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with resection of a large, complex mass originating in the left ovary. The pathology department found 2 left, mature ovarian cystic teratomas containing a layer of Leydig cells. Postoperatively the patient experienced rapid normalization of the elevated testosterone level. CONCLUSION: Although rare, ovarian production of androgens resulting in hirsutism or virilization can occur with a hormonally active mature cystic teratoma.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 141-144 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - Feb 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cystic
- Hyperandrogenism
- Mature
- Postmenopause
- Teratoma
- Testosterone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology