Adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 25 Oct 2023

Adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is a type of ovarian sex cord / stromal tumor. They are by far the most frequent subtype of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (95%) and are commoner than the juvenile granulosa tumor of the ovary.

Approximately two-thirds of this subtype are discovered in postmenopausal women (peak incidence 50-55 years old).

The tumors often produce estrogen and may present with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Macroscopically, typical adult ovarian granulosa cell tumors form large multiseptated cystic masses or solid masses with variable amounts of cystic components. These cystic components often contain hemorrhage.

Microscopically, the tumor cells have pale nuclei that frequently have regular follicles without mucin. They also have longitudinal grooves that grow in sheets, trabecular patterns, or strands with gland-like structures filled with an acidophilic material recalling immature follicles (Call-Exner bodies).

  • appearance varies widely: from a solid mass to a multiloculated solid-cystic mass, to a purely cystic lesion

  • varying degrees of hemorrhage and fibrosis

  • less likely to have intracystic papillary projections than epithelial ovarian tumors

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