• Paul D Silva, Robert H Caplan, and Rodelino L Virata.
• Sections of Reproductive Endocrinology and Medical Endocrinology, Department of Pathology, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.
• J Reprod Med. 2003 May 1; 48 (5): 381-3.

BackgroundRapidly progressive hirsutism or virilization in the postmenopausal woman raises the suspicion of an androgen-secreting tumor. Hormonal testing and imaging studies usually rule out an adrenal tumor. However, small, androgenizing ovarian tumors may not be detectable by imaging studies.CaseA postmenopausal woman presented with rapidly progressive hirsutism and elevated androgens. Imaging studies did not localize the tumor. Bilateral laparoscopic oophorectomy was performed, and a small, androgenizing Brenner cell tumor of the left ovary was demonstrated on histologic examination.ConclusionBecause of the low morbidity associated with laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, it may be reasonable to remove the ovaries of postmenopausal women who display virilization or rapidly progressive hirsutism and elevated androgens, even if imaging studies do not detect the ovarian tumor.

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