Sex Cord-Stromal Ovarian Tumors

Daniel von Allmen, MD, Mary E Fallat, MD, Cathy Burnweit, MD

Introduction

Sex cord-stromal tumors account for 5.7 to 17% of malignant tumors in series of ovarian neoplasms in children [1]. They arise from uncommitted mesenchymal stem cells that reside below the surface epithelium of the urogenital ridge [2][3]. This totipotential tissue has the potential to differentiate into several different cell lines including granulosa-theca cells in the ovary and the Sertoli-Leydig cells in the testicular interstitium. Sex cord-stromal tumors are referred to as functioning ovarian tumors as they have systemic hormonal effects. Before nine years of age, most sex cord-stromal tumors are feminizing. After nine years of age there is a predominance of virilizing neoplasms [4].

see also Ovarian Tumors

Content in these topics is referenced in SCORE Ovarian and Adnexal Problems overview

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Last updated: August 21, 2017