TLDR Surgery removed an ovarian tumor, improving her symptoms and normalizing testosterone levels.
This case report described a 68-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with rapidly progressive hirsutism and male-pattern alopecia, symptoms indicative of hyperandrogenism. Despite elevated testosterone levels, multiple radiological investigations failed to identify an androgen-secreting tumour. The patient underwent an elective bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy based on clinical suspicion, which confirmed the presence of an occult Leydig cell tumour (LCT) in the ovaries. Post-surgery, her symptoms improved significantly, and testosterone levels normalized. LCTs are rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of ovarian tumours, and are typically benign and unilateral. The report highlighted the challenges in diagnosing such tumours due to their small size and the importance of considering ovarian sources in postmenopausal women with significant hyperandrogenism.
4 citations
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December 2018 in “Case reports in endocrinology” A 63-year-old woman's male-like symptoms were caused by a rare testosterone-producing ovarian tumor, treated by removing her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
12 citations
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March 2018 in “Medicine” A postmenopausal woman's hirsutism and high testosterone levels improved after surgery for an ovarian tumor not seen on ultrasound.
27 citations
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April 2017 in “European journal of endocrinology” The research found that MRI and certain hormone levels can help tell apart ovarian tumors from hyperthecosis in postmenopausal women, but tissue analysis is still needed for a definite diagnosis.
22 citations
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February 2014 in “Arquivos Brasileiros De Endocrinologia E Metabologia” An 81-year-old woman's severe male hormone symptoms were caused by an ovarian tumor, which was treated with surgery.
63 citations
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March 2011 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Evaluate postmenopausal women with high androgen levels using medical history, physical exams, lab tests, and imaging to manage health risks.
815 citations
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April 2010 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Women with PCOS should be screened for heart disease risk and manage their health to prevent it.
502 citations
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February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Treat significant hirsutism with medication and hair removal; use birth control pills first, adding antiandrogens if needed.
70 citations
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February 2012 in “Human Reproduction” Many young women who donate blood have hormonal disorders like excess male hormones and PCOS.
July 2011 in “Oxford University Press eBooks” The document's conclusion cannot be determined without content to analyze.
