Androgen and Estrogen Production by a Lipid Ovarian Tumor

A case of virilizing lipid-cell tumor or the ovary is described in which simultaneous venipuncture of both ovarian veins and the peripheral circulatory vessels provided documentation of the source of steroid hypersecretion. These samples, as well as peripheral vessel prcoperative and postoperative samples, were examined by radioimmunoassay for estradiol, progesterone, 17-α hydroxy progesterone and testosterone, thus providing reliable appraisals of the serum androgen and estrogen levels throughout a 12-month period that included the periods of diagnosis, surgical treatment, and a 6-month followup.