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Androgen-producing steroid cell ovarian tumor in a young woman and subsequent spontaneous pregnancy

  • Gonadal Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the presentation and fertility sparing treatment of a young woman found to have a steroid cell tumor not otherwise specified (NOS) and her spontaneous pregnancy and delivery shortly after surgery.

Methods

A 20-year-old Hispanic female presented with hirsuitism, virilization, and elevated androgen levels (testosterone 328 ng/dL) and was wrongly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Four months later she sought a second opinion. Her androgens were as follows: testosterone level 485 ng/dL, androstenedione 1,738 ng/dL and DHEA 1,459 ng/dL. She had normal levels of progesterone, estradiol, and DHEA-SO4. On transvaginal ultrasound she had a solid-appearing right ovarian mass. She underwent fertility sparing surgery with a laparoscopic right oophorectomy.

Results

Gross and histological pathology confirmed a benign steroid cell tumor NOS. She had rapid normalization of all androgens 13 days after surgery. She had spontaneous resumption of menses 4 months later. She conceived despite using emergency contraception approximately 9 months following surgery and delivered a healthy boy at term without complication.

Conclusion

Prompt evaluation for an androgen producing tumor should be performed when testosterone levels are greater than 200 ng/dL. Pregnancy following removal of this rare tumor has not previously been reported.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Lauren Sielert

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Cheng Liu & Rajeswari Nagarathinam

  3. Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, PO Box 26901, WP 2410, Oklahoma City, OK, 73126, USA

    LaTasha B. Craig

Authors
  1. Lauren Sielert
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  2. Cheng Liu
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  3. Rajeswari Nagarathinam
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  4. LaTasha B. Craig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to LaTasha B. Craig.

Additional information

Capsule Testosterone levels above 150–200 ng/dL should raise suspicion for malignancy. Following laparoscopic right oopherectomy for a steroid cell tumor NOS, this patient had quick resumption of menses, conceived nine months following surgery, and delivered without complication.

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Sielert, L., Liu, C., Nagarathinam, R. et al. Androgen-producing steroid cell ovarian tumor in a young woman and subsequent spontaneous pregnancy. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1157–1160 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0051-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0051-9

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