Health Encyclopedia

Arrhenoblastoma of ovary

Definition

Arrhenoblastoma of the ovary is an ovarian tumor that releases the male hormone, testosterone or other hormones.

Alternative Names

Stromal tumor; Gonadal stromal tumor; Sex cord tumor; Androblastoma

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

This is a rare tumor. It accounts for less than 0.5% of all ovarian tumors.

These tumors are found in women of all age groups, but are most common in young women.

Symptoms

This tumor releases male hormones, which causes the following symptoms in women:

Deepening of the voice
Increased hair on the face and body
Increased size of the clitoris
Male pattern baldness

Signs and tests

Blood tests to check levels of hormones that may be released by the tumor
CT scan of the pelvis and abdomen to see if the tumor has spread
Ultrasound of the ovaries

Treatment

Surgery is the main treatment. If the cancer has spread, chemotherapy or radiation therapy should be considered.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome of this disease depends on whether it has spread, and whether surgery can completely remove the tumor. The overall 5-year survival rate is 70 - 90%.

Arrhenoblastoma has a low chance of spreading. If the tumor is found early, the cure rate can be very good.

Complications

Complications of surgery
Masculine symptoms (virilization)
Spread of the tumor if it is not completely removed

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you are a woman experiencing masculine symptoms, or you feel a lump near your ovaries.

Prevention

There is no good screening test. Getting a gynecological exam each year and recognizing masculine symptoms can help detect the disease.

Review Date:6/10/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.