Female Progressive Scalp Hair Loss Associated with Ovarian Thecoma
January 2019
in “
Skin appendage disorders
”
androgenetic alopecia female androgenetic alopecia of male pattern FAGA.M androgens ovarian thecoma trichoscopic findings histopathological findings laparotomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy topical minoxidil oral spironolactone oral finasteride hyperandrogenism virilizing tumors androgenic alopecia male pattern baldness ovarian tumor hair loss diagnosis surgical removal Rogaine Aldactone Propecia high androgen levels
TLDR A woman's hair loss was linked to a rare hormone-secreting ovarian tumor, treated with surgery and hair loss medication.
The document reports the case of a 58-year-old postmenopausal woman who experienced progressive scalp hair loss and increased facial and abdominal hair over 17 years, which was associated with a recently diagnosed bilateral ovarian thecoma. Clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathological findings led to the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia, specifically a pattern mimicking male baldness, known as female androgenetic alopecia of male pattern (FAGA.M). This condition was attributed to high levels of circulating androgens due to the ovarian thecoma. Thecomas are rare ovarian tumors that secrete androgens and are more common in postmenopausal women. The patient underwent a laparotomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to treat the thecoma and was prescribed topical minoxidil at 5%, oral spironolactone at 100 mg, and oral finasteride at 5 mg for the androgenetic alopecia. The case highlights that FAGA.M can be a clinical sign of hyperandrogenism, necessitating gynecological and endocrinological evaluation to rule out virilizing tumors like thecomas.
