Anti-Müllerian hormone inhibits growth of AMH type II receptor-positive human ovarian granulosa cell tumor cells by activating apoptosis

abstract: Role of adjuvant radiotherapy in granulosa cell tumors of the ovary

PURPOSE: To review the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the outcome and recurrence patterns of granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) of the ovary.

CONCLUSION: Ovarian GCTs can be indolent, with patients achieving long-term survival. In our series, adjuvant RT resulted in a significantly longer DFS. Ideally, randomized trials with long-term follow-up are needed to define the role of adjuvant RT for ovarian GCTs.

full free access: Extraordinarily Prolonged Disease Recurrence in a Granulosa Cell Tumor Patient

Background

Granulosa cell tumors are rare sex cord stromal lesions that comprise approximately 3% of all ovarian neoplasms. The vast majority of granulosa cell tumors are considered indolent but in spite of aggressive management, delayed recurrence is of significant concern.

Conclusion

Granulosa cell tumors are considered to be of low malignant potential but they have the capacity to recur, even several years following initial patient management. This case exemplifies the disease's capacity for prolonged recurrence and further accentuates the significance of long-term follow-up in these patients.

Menopause, hormone replacement and gynaecological cancers -- Menopause International

Note: abstract, full access via subscription ($$$)

Reviews

Menopause, hormone replacement and gynaecological cancers

Lynsey Hinds and John Price
Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland
Correspondence: Dr Lynsey Hinds, 1 Strawhill Manor, Donaghcloney, Belfast BT66 7GH Northern Ireland. Email: hindslynsey@hotmail.co.uk
 
Approximately 18,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in the UK each year. Predisposing risk factors for some of these gynaecological cancers include an early menarche/late menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Furthermore, treatment of gynaecological malignancies often induces an iatrogenic menopause, which may be more severe than a natural onset. HRT is an extremely effective treatment that may dramatically improve physical and psychological symptoms and ultimately quality of life in patients with cancer. However, the safety of using HRT in patients with gynaecological cancer is a controversial issue and not entirely clear. The main concern is the theoretical risk of the stimulation of residual cancer cells by estrogen replacement. The review of the evidence in this article found that for most gynaecological cancers this hypothesis was not proven. No study to date has found HRT to have a detrimental effect on survival in patients with early stage endometrial cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and vulval tumours. HRT is only an absolute contraindication in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas and is best avoided in granulosa cell ovarian tumours. Therefore, HRT should not be withheld in the majority of patients with gynaecological cancer. If quality of life is being adversely affected by symptoms of the menopause, then patients with cancer should be counselled regarding the known risks and benefits of HRT to enable them to make an informed decision on their treatment.

PLoS ONE: Functional Exploration of the Adult Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumor-Associated Somatic FOXL2 Mutation p.Cys134Trp (c.402C>G)

Conclusions/Significance

Here, we confirm the specificity of the FOXL2 c.402C>G mutation in adult OGCTs and begin the exploration of its molecular significance. This is the first study demonstrating that the p.Cys134Trp mutant does not have a strong impact on FOXL2 localization, solubility, and transactivation abilities on a panel of proven target promoters, behaving neither as a dominant-negative nor as a loss-of-function mutation. Further studies are required to understand the specific molecular effects of this outstanding FOXL2 mutation.

abstract: Clinical syndromes associated with ovarian neoplasms: a comprehensive review

Radiographics. 2010 Jul-Aug;30(4):903-19.

Functional ovarian neoplasms have unique clinical manifestations related to hormone overproduction and may give rise to a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes.

Sex cord-stromal tumors, the most common functional ovarian neoplasms, are associated with either hyperestrogenism (as in granulosa cell tumor and thecoma) or hyperandrogenism (as in Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and Leydig cell tumor). Other, less common ovarian neoplasms that may have endocrine or nonendocrine syndromic manifestations include germ cell tumors associated with the excessive production of human chorionic gonadotropin (eg, choriocarcinoma, dysgerminoma), monodermal teratomas (eg, carcinoid tumor, struma ovarii) associated with carcinoid syndrome and hyperthyroidism, and primary epithelial ovarian cancers associated with paraneoplastic syndromes.

The application of diagnostic algorithms based on patient demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and cross-sectional imaging features may help identify ovarian neoplasms in complex clinical settings.

Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Granulosa Cell Tumors of the Ovary

Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 21 cases.

Granulosa Cell Tumor Of The Ovary Foundation - [gctf.org]