[Granulosa-cell tumor of the ovary: report of 16 cases]

The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological, pathological and clinical features of granulosa cell tumors and to study the different prognostic factors in order to determine an appropriate therapeutic attitude.

We proceeded with a retrospective study of 16 cases of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary diagnosed over a period of 10 years (1994-2003). These cases included one case of juvenile type and 15 adult types.

Mean patient age was 46 years for the adult type (range 20-70 years) and 35 years for the juvenile type; 19% of the patients were nulliparous, 31% were menopausals. The predominant symptom was abdomino-pelvic pain with frequent hormonal manifestations. Mean tumor size was 10.5 cm with a solido-cystic aspect in 50% of cases. The treatment was surgical in all cases. Among the 16 patients, 14 (87.5%) were diagnosed at stage I and one (6.2%) at stage II. The juvenile tumor was at stage IV at time of diagnosis and only adjuvant chemotherapy was given. No relapse nor recurrence were noted for the adult type after a mean follow up of 2 years 2 months. For the juvenile form, locoregional recurrence with liver metastasis developed after 9 months.

Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is an uncommon neoplasm. The adult form progresses slowly and often is diagnosed in an early stage of disease. Surgery is indicated. The juvenile forms are more exceptional and more aggressive. A prolonged post therapeutic follow-up is necessary because of the risk of recurrences, late and exceptional for the adult form but frequent and early for the juvenile form.