Endometrial carcinoma with co-existing granulosa cell tumour in a post-menopausal woman: a case report

Abstract

Background: Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary are extremely infrequent tumors accounting for about 3% of the entire ovarian malignancies with a very high rate of recurrence. Due to its ability to secrete estrogen unopposed, it can give rise to endometrial cancer thus leading to the coexistence of the two tumors on rare occasions.

Case presentation: We present here, the case of a 58-year-old post-menopausal Nigerian woman with GCT coexisting with endometrial carcinoma. She presented with abdominal pain, weakness, and post-menopausal vaginal bleeding. Examination revealed an irregular 30-week size abdominopelvic mass while an abdominopelvic ultrasonography showed a right ovarian mass and multiple uterine fibroids. However, the diagnosis of GCT coexisting with endometrial carcinoma was histologically confirmed. She has been clinically stable for ten months post-surgical intervention and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy (Cisplatin [75mg/m2] and Docetaxel [75mg/m2]).

Conclusion: Although rare, GCT can exist synchronously with endometrial carcinoma. This should form an important differential diagnosis in a post-menopausal woman with bleeding par vaginum as this is its most important clinical presentation. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy should be done in older patients with GCT. Additionally, adjuvant chemotherapy may be of tremendous benefit to diagnosed patients.