The Leydig Steroid Cell Tumor in a Postmenopausal Woman with Clinical and Biochemical Hyperandrogenism: A Case Report

Abstract

Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) refer to tumors of the stroma of the genital strand, which are found mainly in postmenopausal women. The diagnosis of LCTs in postmenopausal women is associated with specific difficulties and is based on the identification of hyperandrogenism with clinical manifestations of virilization, which has an erased picture in postmenopausal women. LCTs require differential diagnosis with other causes of hyperandrogenism. We present the clinical case of a 55-year-old Russian postmenopausal patient with LCTs of the right ovary, significantly increased levels of androgens, and rapidly progressive clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. The patient underwent laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and the androgen indices reached average values by the first and third month after surgery. This case demonstrates that LCTs are often benign with a good prognosis and normalization of the clinical and laboratory manifestations of hyperandrogenism after surgical treatment. The type of surgery performed (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy rather than unilateral) is recommended as the treatment of choice for LCTs in postmenopausal patients.

Keywords

• hyperandrogenism
• postmenopause
• Leydig cell tumors (LCTs)
• ovarian tumor
• testosterone
• hirsutism