Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor Dynamics and Clinical Implications

Ovarian steroid cell tumours are rare sex cord-stromal neoplasms accounting for less than 0.1 % of all ovarian tumours. They are subclassified into Leydig cell tumours, stromal luteomas and steroid cell tumours not otherwise specified (SCT-NOS). These lesions often secrete androgens or glucocorticoids, leading to virilisation, menstrual disturbance or Cushingoid features. Clinical detection is frequently delayed by small tumour size and nonspecific imaging findings. Histopathological examination remains the definitive diagnostic method, with certain cytological and immunohistochemical hallmarks distinguishing benign from malignant behaviour. Surgical excision is the mainstay of management, with fertility-sparing approaches considered in younger women. Emerging molecular and enzymatic profiling promises to refine diagnostic accuracy and guide tailored therapies, addressing an unmet need for standardised management protocols and long-term surveillance strategies.

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Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor Dynamics and Clinical Implications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ovarian steroid cell tumor dynamics and clinical implications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Steroid cell tumour (SCT): A rare ovarian neoplasm derived from sex cord-stromal elements that produces steroid hormones.
Virilisation: The development of male secondary sexual characteristics in females due to androgen excess.
17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP): A steroid intermediate measured to distinguish ovarian from adrenal sources of androgen excess.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): A high-resolution analytical technique for quantifying steroid hormones.
Immunohistochemistry: A laboratory method using antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections for diagnostic purposes.

References

1. Hyperandrogenism, Elevated 17‐Hydroxyprogesterone and Its Urinary Metabolites in a Young Woman with Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Case Reports in Endocrinology (2019).
2. Benign and malignant ovarian steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified: case studies, comparison, and review of the literature. Journal of Ovarian Research (2013).
3. Symptomatic Cushing syndrome and hyperandrogenemia revealing steroid cell ovarian neoplasm with late intra-abdominal metastasis. BMC Endocrine Disorders (2014).
4. Symptomatic Cushing’s syndrome and hyperandrogenemia in a steroid cell ovarian neoplasm: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports (2016).
5. A large ovarian steroid cell tumor‐not otherwise specified with a unique combination of benign and malignant features as a challenging cause of oligomenorrhea and hirsutism in a 21‐year‐old Syrian female: a case report. BMC Women's Health (2021).
6. Expression of Key Androgen-Activating Enzymes in Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified. Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (2020).
7. Steroid Cell Ovarian Neoplasm, Not Otherwise Specified: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2012).