Steroid synthesis in cystadenocarcinoma of the ovaries

Studies were done of in vitro transformation of C14 and H3-labeled steroids by a primary papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovaries associated with a virilizing syndrome in a postmenopausal woman. A microsomal preparation from the tumor tissue converted progesterone to testosterone and androstenedione. Pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone were converted to dehydroepiandrosterone. Aromatization of the substrate steroids apparently did not occur, since no steroid radioactivity was found in the phenolic fraction. Symptoms and signs of virilization gradually disappeared following surgical removal of the tumor and post-operative radiation therapy.