The Granulosa Cell Tumor of The Ovary in Postmenopausal Women - Do They Have the Any Unique features ?

Lim, Kyung Taek; Cho, Hyeun Cha

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the unique transvaginal sonographic(TVS) findings and clinical manifestations attributes of adult ovarian granulosa cell tumor(GCT) in postmenopausal women.
METHODS
Data for 7 postmenopausal women with pathological proven adult ovarian GCT were respectively reviewed in Samsung Cheil Women's Hospital, between 1996 and 1999. Characteristics of transvaginal sonographic findings, pathological findings and clinical manifestations were analyzed. RESULT: On the basis of TVS findings, 7 cases of adult ovarian GCT were varied, but grossly categorized into 2 morphologic patterns: semisolid mass with scattered cystic components (n=3), muliticystic mass resembling typical hemorrhagic cyst (n=4). There are characteristics of TVS imaging of GCT that various size and stage of hemorrhage presents in the tumor. Endometrial transvaginal sonographic findings were normal atrophic EM (n=1), less than 5 mm with fluid collection (n=1), more than 5 mm with or without abnormal echogenicity (n=5). Clinical manifestations were, combination or alone, abnormal uterine bleeding (n=all), abdominal pain (n=1), mass palpation(n=3). Histopathologically most tumors were mixed, such as microfollicular, marcofollicular, trabecular pattern and also varied histologic appearance and tumor cell arrangement.
CONCLUSION
TVS findings and combined presenting symptoms in postmenopausal women that raise suspicion of adult ovarian GCT include a relatively large ovarian mass (especially with hemorrhage) with a complex consistency, thickened endometrium and abnormal uterine bleeding without horomone replacement therapy. So it is possible to differentiate on basis of TVS imaging and symptoms between GCT and epithelial tumors of the ovary in postmenopausal women.