Granulosa-Theca-Cell Tumor of the Ovary in Children

Abstract

WITHIN RECENT years granulosa\x=req-\ theca-cell tumors have attracted much interest, primarily because of their hormonal function. These tumors are the principal feminizing neoplasms of the ovary; and it has been emphasized that when they occur in prepubertal females, they almost always cause sexual precocity. Because of this known and rather constant relationship, the diagnosis of granulosa-theca-cell tumor usually is entertained in the differential diagnosis of isosexual precocity in females. Although it is appropriate that some consideration should be given to this diagnosis in all such patients, it should be remembered that not more than 10% of cases of sexual precocity in the female arise from ovarian tumors.The purpose of this article is to review the literature on this interesting problem, especially as it relates to children, and to emphasize the pitfalls in making the diagnosis. IncidenceThe rarity of granulosa-theca-cell tumors of the ovary is appreciated if it is remembered that primary ovarian tumors are rare, and that of these the granulosatheca-cell variety constitute only about

The Histology of Borderline Cancer

“…The occurrence of the tumour in children and its relation to precocious puberty have been reviewed by Zangeneh and Kelley (1968) with no suggestion that the neoplasm behaves in any significantly different way in childhood. Two series of cases that they cite had a combined mortality of 12.5%.…”

Ovarian cancer in children and adolescents: A review of 15 cases

“…This is usually impossible in advanced tumors which have spread beyond the ovary but might be achieved in early incapsulated tumors. Survival of girls with ovarian carcinoma is universally conceded to be low, regardless of the stage, histological type, age, or therapy, the only exception being the dysgerrninoma and the thecagranulosa cell tumor types, where the outlook is good (2, 3,15). It has been observed that even in patients with early tumors (Stage I and 11) other than the above, it is difficult to control the disease when primary treatment is unsuccessful, indicating that conservative surgery fails to identify and remove all tumor foci (3).…”