Hyperandrogenism Caused by Leydig Cell Tumor of the Ovary
January 2020
TLDR A woman's excess male hormone symptoms were caused by a rare benign tumor in her ovary.
In 2019, a case was reported of a 65-year-old female patient who presented with hyperandrogenism, characterized by facial hirsutism and frontal baldness. Laboratory tests revealed elevated serum total and free testosterone levels, while other hormone levels were normal. An MRI showed a 12mm tumor in the left ovary. The tumor was surgically removed and confirmed to be a benign Leydig cell tumor. The study concluded that hyperandrogenism and virilization in postmenopausal women are rare and difficult to diagnose. The presence of androgen-secreting tumors should be suspected in menopausal women showing signs of hyperandrogenism. Leydig cell tumors are rare ovarian neoplasms that cause unregulated androgenic overproduction.
