Extraordinarily Prolonged Disease Recurrence in a Granulosa Cell Tumor Patient

Abstract

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. CASE REPORT: We describe a case involving a 67-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain, bloody stools, and mild nausea. Following a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, a 19-cm pelvic mass was identified. Her prior medical history included a hysterectomy for uterine fibroids 40 years ago and a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for a presumed granulosa cell tumor 20 years ago. Final pathology revealed granulosa cell tumor with small bowel mesentery involvement. The patient underwent surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy; she is currently doing well. 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.

Fig. 1

Gross photograph of the granulosa cell tumor.

Fig. 2

Section of small-bowel mucosa and submucosal tumor mass (10×).