(Androblastoma; Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor of the Ovary)
Definition
Definition
An arrhenoblastoma is a rare type of ovarian tumor. This tumor primarily secretes the male sex hormone, testosterone, and rarely the female sex hormone, estrogen.
Arrhenoblastomas are generally benign, meaning they do not normally spread beyond the ovary.
ArrhenoblastomaCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes
Causes
The cause of arrhenoblastoma is unknown.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Arrhenoblastomas are most common in young women between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age. However, they can occur at any age, including in toddlers, young girls, and postmenopausal women.
Arrhenoblastoma mare also be a rare complication of pregnancy.
Symptoms
Symptoms
In many cases, infrequent menstrual periods or cessation of menstrual periods is the only symptom.
In up to one in three patients, arrhenoblastoma is accompanied by masculinization, including any of the following:
- Acne
- Deepening voice
- Hirsutism (increased facial hair)
- Enlarged clitoris
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Your bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done blood tests of hormone levels.
Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with ultrasound.
Pelvic UltrasoundCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Treatment
Treatment
Treatment involves surgery to remove one or both ovaries. This procedure is usually successful in returning normal menstruation (in premenopausal women) and ceasing masculinization. If the tumor is late stage and particularly aggressive (which is rare), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both, in addition to surgery, may be needed.
Prevention
Prevention
There are no known ways to prevent ovarian cancer of any kind, as the cause is unknown.
RESOURCES:
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance http://www.ovariancancer.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17460145
Accessed October 29, 2014.
Choong S, Fuller P, et al. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary, a rare cause of precocious puberty in a 12-month-old infant. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87:49-56.
Colombo N, Parma G, et al. Management of ovarian stromal cell tumors. J Clin Oncol. 2007;20:2944-2951.
Leydig cell tumor. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated February 28, 2011. Accessed October 29, 2014.
McCluggage WG, McKenna M, et al. CD56 is a sensitive and diagnostically useful immunohistochemical marker of ovarian sex cord stromal tumor. Int J Gyn Pathol. 2007;26:322-327.
Sachdeva P, Arora R, et al. Cell tumor: a rare ovarian neoplasm. Gynecologic Endocrinology. 2008;24(4):230-234.
Sex cord-stromal tumors. Johns Hopkins Pathology website. Available at:
http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/stromal.cfm
Updated June 25, 2001. Accessed October 29, 2014.
Last Updated: 12/20/2014