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A case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary associated with virilization: pre and post-operative steroid plasma levels

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Abstract

A premenopausal woman with a mucinous carcinoma of one ovary, and a mucinous adenoma of the other, together with secondary virilization, is reported. Preoperative ievels of androstenedione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were high, suggesting the presence of a virilizing tumor. Preoperative plasma estrone (E1), but not estradiol (E2), was elevated along with inversion of the E2/E1 ratio, suggesting a peripheral origin of the estrogens. FSH and LH plasma concentrations were low. After bilateral ovariectomy, levels of all steroids measured significantly decreased and gonadotropins rose to the postmenopausal range.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica ed Ostetrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Roma, Italy

    Daniela Mango, P. Scirpa & F. Battaglia

  2. Istituto di Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100, Roma, Italy

    S. Sentinelli

  3. Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100, Roma, Italy

    E. Menini

Authors
  1. Daniela Mango
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  2. P. Scirpa
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  3. F. Battaglia
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  4. S. Sentinelli
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  5. E. Menini
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Mango, D., Scirpa, P., Battaglia, F. et al. A case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary associated with virilization: pre and post-operative steroid plasma levels. J Endocrinol Invest 8, 359–362 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348514

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348514

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