TLDR A young woman's symptoms suggested PCOS, but tests and surgery confirmed and treated a rare ovarian tumor, resolving her condition.
The document reported on a 24-year-old woman who was initially suspected to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to symptoms like hirsutism, secondary amenorrhea, and diabetes mellitus. However, unusually high levels of serum androgens and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) suggested an androgen-secreting ovarian tumor. Imaging confirmed a tumor in the right ovary, which was removed surgically, and identified as a steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified (SCT-NOS). Following surgery, the patient's hyperandrogenism and menstrual irregularities resolved, and her androgen levels normalized. The case underlined the diagnostic challenges in differentiating PCOS from other causes of hyperandrogenism and proposed that urinary steroid profiling (USP) could help localize the source of 17-OHP, indicating the need for further research on its diagnostic value.
2 citations,
May 2018 in “Diagnosis” A 68-year-old woman developed male traits due to a tumor in her ovary, which was removed, returning her hormone levels to normal.
14 citations,
December 2010 in “Seminars in Oncology” Rare adrenal cancers that secrete androgens or estrogens have a poor prognosis and are treated primarily with surgery.
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February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women with excess male hormones have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and hormonal therapy can improve symptoms but may cause side effects.
5 citations,
January 2017 in “Acta Endocrinologica” High androgen levels in postmenopausal women may suggest an ovarian tumor, and removing it can improve heart and metabolic health.
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October 2013 in “Endocrine” Blood tests can detect ovarian Leydig cell tumors when scans don't, and surgery can confirm and treat these tumors.
20 citations,
October 2017 in “Clinical Endocrinology” The conclusion is that removing both ovaries is the best treatment for excess male hormones in postmenopausal women, with medication as another option, and managing insulin resistance is important for diagnosis and treatment.
September 2022 in “Curēus” The removed ovarian tumor was a rare type of blood vessel tumor that improved the patient's symptoms and hormone levels after surgery.
42 citations,
July 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The conclusion is that oral contraceptives and antiandrogens can treat hirsutism and acne in women with cutaneous hyperandrogenism, but more research is needed for effective treatments, especially for hair loss.
