P57 - Case Report – Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumour: a Rare, Potentially Malignant, Diagnosis

Published Date: 05th December 2024

Publication Authors: Pamballi. J, Hasan. NU

Background
Ovarian steroid cell tumours, previously referred to as lipid or lipoid cell tumours, represent a rare type of sex cord stromal cell tumours constituting only 0.1% of all ovarian tumours. The majority are functional presenting with features of virilisation. Though cases have been reported in all ages, incidence is highest in women of reproductive age. The literature suggests that up to one third of cases are malignant. Parameters associated with malignancy have been studied and documented in case series however, these are not absolute and therefore, clinicopathological and radiological correlation is essential in predicting malignant potential and determining follow up after histological diagnosis.

Purpose
We present a case of a unilateral ovarian steroid cell tumour in a 69 year old, postmenopausal female presenting with hyperandrogenism, raised serum testosterone and normal adrenal glands on imaging. We aim to bring attention to this rare entity, its clinical presentation and the parameters influencing its malignant potential.

Methods
The patient underwent a diagnostic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as there was a clinical suspicion of the potential source of testosterone being in the ovaries.

Results
On dissection, a unilateral 35 mm ovarian nodule was noted with a solid, yellow and lobulated cut surface. Histologically this represented an expansile, well defined and nodular proliferation of large polygonal cells with a predominantly pale and vacuolated cytoplasm. On immunohistochemistry the tumour cells demonstrated diffuse labelling with Melan-A, Inhibin and Calretinin, confirming the diagnosis of a steroid cell tumour.

Conclusions
Ovarian steroid cell tumour, constitutes a rare sex cord stromal tumour which can be a cause of virilisation in postmenopausal women. Parameters such as size >7 cm, necrosis, haemorrhage, significant atypia and mitoses predict malignant behaviour and clinicopathological correlation is essential to determine clinical follow up.

Pamballi, J; Hasan, NU. (2024). P57 - Case Report – Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumour: a Rare, Potentially Malignant, Diagnosis. Journal of Pathology. 264(S2), p.S38. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/path.6365 [Accessed 6 February 2026]