Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor Presenting As Non-Classical Adrenal Hyperplasia
October 2024
in “
Journal of the Endocrine Society
”
TLDR Ovarian steroid cell tumors can mimic adrenal hyperplasia, and surgery can normalize hormone levels.
This document 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 experienced secondary amenorrhea, hirsutism, and male pattern hair loss, with initial treatment showing improvement. However, a sudden increase in androgen levels led to the discovery of a 10.4 cm ovarian mass, which was surgically removed. Post-surgery, the patient's hormone levels normalized, and steroid therapy was discontinued. The case highlights the importance of considering SCT in patients with hyperandrogenism and the need for careful monitoring and follow-up to prevent irreversible symptoms.