Virilizing Brenner tumor of the ovary: case report

A case of ovarian Brenner tumor displaying androgenic activity and clinical masculinization is reported in a 65-year-old woman. Plasma androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, cortisol, estradiol, FSH, LH, and prolactin were measured before and after suppression with dexamethasone and stimulation with hCG, and again after removal of the tumor. The plasma androgenic compounds were measured in both ovarian and peripheral veins. Basal levels of androstenedione and of total testosterone were significantly elevated, decreasing to normal ranges after operation and remaining after 3 months. There was a sharp increase of total testosterone, DHEAS, and dihydrotestosterone levels after administration of hCG. The levels of androstenedione, DHEAS, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were higher in the ovarian vein than in the peripheral vein. These findings indicate that the tumor was the main source of these androgenic hormones.