TLDR Ovarian tumors should be considered when postmenopausal women show signs of virilization.
This case report details a rare instance of a virilizing Leydig cell tumor of the ovary in a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with symptoms of excessive scalp hair loss, increased facial hair growth, and clitoromegaly. Blood tests revealed elevated testosterone levels, and imaging suggested an androgen-secreting ovarian tumor. The patient underwent a total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and the histopathological examination confirmed a benign Leydig cell tumor in the left ovary. This case highlights the importance of considering ovarian tumors in the differential diagnosis of virilization in postmenopausal women.
5 citations,
November 2018 in “Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology” Ovarian Leydig cell tumors are hard to diagnose with just advanced imaging; expert ultrasound and clinical evaluation are essential.
12 citations,
March 2018 in “Medicine” A postmenopausal woman's hirsutism and high testosterone levels improved after surgery for an ovarian tumor not seen on ultrasound.
21 citations,
April 1995 in “Mayo Clinic Proceedings” Leydig cells can cause testosterone-secreting adrenal tumors in women.
4 citations,
January 2019 in “Obstetrics & gynecology science” A PET-CT scan successfully located a hard-to-find Leydig cell tumor in a woman with hormonal symptoms.
December 2013 in “Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences” Ovarian steroid cell tumors should be considered in adults with hirsutism and high testosterone, with surgery as the main treatment.
December 2013 in “Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences” A woman's excessive hair growth and high testosterone were caused by a rare ovarian tumor, which was successfully treated with surgery.
