Article Text

Ectopic hormone production by ovarian neoplasms
  1. A. Shushan and
  2. S. Mor-Yosef
  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center, Ein-Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
  1. Address for correspondence: Dr A. Shushan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Medical Center, Kiryat Hadassah, P.O.B. 12000, IL-91120, Jerusalem, Israel.

Abstract

Ovarian neoplasms, producing ectopic hormones, other than struma ovarii, are extremely rare. We review such tumors that have been reported in the world's literature during the last 15 years. Most patients presented with a clinical picture which was typical of the excess hormone produced. The clinical syndromes associated with ovarian neoplasms are: the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, Cushing's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, hypertension related to renin or aldosterone production, and ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotropin. The clinical characteristics of these patients, as well as the pathologic findings, are described. In most of these cases the tumor was not localized preoperatively and the patients underwent unnecessary extensive operative procedures. Regardless of benign or malignant histology, complete excision of the tumor practically offers cure to these patients. Although rare, the possibility of ectopic hormone production by ovarian neoplasms should be kept in mind when investigating a patient with a nonlocalized hormone-secreting tumor. A review of ovarian neoplasms producing ectopic hormones is herein presented along with the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas characterizing this entity.

  • ectopic hormones
  • ovarian neoplasms

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