Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor and Postmenopausal Hirsutism with Signs of Virilization
March 2021
in “
Case Reports
”
TLDR A woman's excessive hair growth and masculine features were due to a rare benign ovarian tumor and endometrial cancer, which improved after surgery.
A 71-year-old woman with a 10-year history of postmenopausal hirsutism and virilization underwent a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy after elevated androgen levels and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding suggested an ovarian source of hyperandrogenism. The surgery revealed a Leydig cell tumor in the left ovary and endometrial carcinoma. Her hirsutism improved within a month post-surgery, and she was referred for further oncological treatment. The case underscores the need for thorough evaluation of virilization in postmenopausal women, as it can indicate life-threatening tumors and have serious health implications. Leydig cell tumors are rare and usually benign, but the long-term effects of increased androgen levels in postmenopausal women are not well understood.
