TESTOSTERONE-PRODUCING SOLITARY OVARIAN CYST WITH LUTEINIZED STROMAL-CELL HYPERPLASIA

BACKGROUNDHormone production is a characteristic associated with the presence of solid tumors in the ovary. We present a case of a solitary ovarian cyst producing large amounts of testosterone and presenting with rapid onset of hirsutism. CASEA woman presented approximately 6 months post-partum with irregular menses and rapid onset of hirsutism. Laboratory and radiologic evalution indicated an ovarian cyst as the source. On removal, the cyst was found to have high amounts of testosterone in its fluid and the surrounding stroma had nests of luteinized cells. CONCLUSIONThe chronic anovulation in the postpartum period may have prolonged the lifespan of the luteinized stromal cells, resulting the lifespan of the luteinized stromal cells, resulting in high levels of circulating testoterone and causing rapid progression of hirsutism.