Recurrent endometrial hyperplasia as a presentation of estrogen-secreting thecoma - case report and minireview of the literature

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016;32(3):184-7. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1113519. Epub 2015 Nov 20.

Abstract

Thecoma is a rare ovarian tumor, presenting usually in postmenopausal women as unilateral, benign, solid lesion. About 15% of affected patients develop endometrial hyperplasia (EH) and 20% are diagnosed with endometrial cancer. In this case report, we present 60-year-old women admitted because of recurrent spotting of 5 years duration, which started 1 year after menopause. In history, the patient underwent three times curettage procedures and once (1 year before admission) had estradiol levels typical for reproductive-age women. At admission, we found elevated serum levels of estradiol (222.5 pg/ml) and a small mass in the right ovary. The markers of germ cell tumors were negative. After the initial diagnosis, the patient was qualified for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the thecoma diagnosis. In follow-up examination after 8 weeks, we found decreased serum estradiol levels and relief of the symptoms. In conclusion, we want to underline that in cases of EH, especially in patients with a history of recurrences, the special attention should be paid for differential diagnosis. In such cases, the estrogen-secreting tumors should be excluded.

Keywords: Endometrial hyperplasia; hormone-secreting ovarian tumors; thecoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Thecoma / diagnosis*
  • Thecoma / metabolism
  • Thecoma / pathology

Substances

  • Estrogens