[Clinical analysis of 11 cases of ovarian Setoli-Leydig cell tumor]

To study the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognostic factors of ovarian Setoli-Leydig cell tumor.

During 1962 - 2002, a total of 11 patients with Setoli-Leydig cell tumor were retrospectively analyzed.

Microscopically, seven of the neoplasms were well differentiated, 3 were moderately differentiated and 1 was poorly differentiated. Nine of the tumors were stage Ia, 1 was stage IIc and 1 was stage IIIc. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal-pelvic masses. Six patients presented with androgenization and virilization, 3 of which had their serum testosterone tested, and the levels were elevated. Five patients presented with metromenorrhagia and abnormal vaginal bleeding. One of them was both androgenized and estrogenized. In addition, five patients had diseases associated with excessive estrogenic stimulation, such as uterine myoma and endometrial hyperplasia. Two patients suffered from breast cancer. All patients were subjected to operation. And 5 patients with poorly differentiated or stage II-III tumors were subjected to postoperational chemotherapy. After 6 months to 34 years follow-up, no patient died of this disease. Three patients who received conservative surgery achieved normal menstruation 1 - 3 months after operation, and one of them gave birth to a child.

Ovarian Setoli-Leydig cell tumor has good prognosis. Surgery alone is a currently acceptable treatment for patients with well-differentiated early stage tumors. For patients with poorly differentiated or advanced tumors, postoperational chemotherapy seems to be necessary. Conservative surgery should be the treatment of choice in young patients who need future fertility.