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Published on: September 15, 2017
Androgen-secreting adrenal adenomas
K Danilowicz1, N Albiger, M Vanegas
1Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Background:
The androgen source in women with hirsutism and signs of virilism may be the ovary or adrenal gland.
Cases:
Three patients with androgen excess are reported. Two had hyperandrogenemia and Cushing syndrome with an adrenal mass greater than 5.5 cm; the third had a small adrenal adenoma secreting only testosterone and responsive to human chorionic gonadotropin. In all cases, the pathologic report from surgery and the long-term resolution of symptoms confirmed the benign nature of the tumors.
Conclusion:
Basal and dynamic hormonal tests cannot precisely differentiate ovarian from adrenal tumors. Adrenal adenomas must be considered as a cause of hyperandrogenic syndrome.
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