[Thecal tumors of the ovary. 14 cases]

Out of 524 tumours of the ovary seen over a 20 year period, the diagnosis was that of a thecal tumour in 14 cases. In addition to the symptoms common to all ovarian tumours, in 7 cases there was metrorrhagia, including 4 post-menopausal. Vaginal cytology after the menopause was abnormally young in 6 cases. In 7 cases out of 13 the endometrium was hyperplasic. In only 5 cases were urinary oestrogen levels increased. At operation, the tumour was bilateral in 3 cases and ascites was present in 4. Histological findings were as follows: 6 thecomas, 4 fibro-thecomas, 1 luteinised thecal tumour, 3 tumours with granular cells and 1 case associated with a Brenner tumour. Two of these "mixed tumours" were malignant, with a fatal outcome. All the others were cured by operation. In young women in whom conservative procedures were used there were 4 subsequent pregnancies. The following questions were posed: The coexistence of ascites with tumours totally free of secretory cells (3 cases); The existence in true thecal tumours of signs of hyperoestrogenism (5 out of 6) whilst fibro-thecomas are not associated with any abnormal production of oestrogen.