Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor Presenting as Non-Classical Adrenal Hyperplasia
October 2024
in “
Journal of the Endocrine Society
”
TLDR Early detection of ovarian steroid cell tumors is crucial to prevent lasting symptoms.
This article presents a case study of a 29-year-old Caucasian female with an ovarian steroid cell tumor (SCT) that initially presented as non-classical adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH). SCTs are rare, comprising less than 0.1% of ovarian tumors, and often secrete androgens, leading to symptoms similar to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The patient had a history of secondary amenorrhea, hirsutism, and male pattern hair loss, with initial lab results indicating elevated testosterone and 17 OHP levels. Despite initial improvement with steroid therapy, a significant rise in hormone levels prompted further investigation, revealing a 10.4 cm ovarian mass. Surgical removal of the mass led to normalization of hormone levels, highlighting the importance of considering SCT in hyperandrogenism cases and the need for careful monitoring and follow-up to prevent irreversible symptoms.