Diagnosis of a small, androgenizing Brenner cell tumor in a postmenopausal woman aided by laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Rapidly progressive hirsutism or virilization in the postmenopausal woman raises the suspicion of an androgen-secreting tumor. Hormonal testing and imaging studies usually rule out an adrenal tumor. However, small, androgenizing ovarian tumors may not be detectable by imaging studies.


METHODS
A postmenopausal woman presented with rapidly progressive hirsutism and elevated androgens. Imaging studies did not localize the tumor. Bilateral laparoscopic oophorectomy was performed, and a small, androgenizing Brenner cell tumor of the left ovary was demonstrated on histologic examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the low morbidity associated with laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, it may be reasonable to remove the ovaries of postmenopausal women who display virilization or rapidly progressive hirsutism and elevated androgens, even if imaging studies do not detect the ovarian tumor.
Silva
Paul D
PD
Sections of Reproductive Endocrinology and Medical Endocrinology, Department of Pathology, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.
Caplan
Robert H
RH
Virata
Rodelino L
RL
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D001948:Brenner Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods*; D017698:Postmenopause
D000728:Androgens