What is a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary?

Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is a rare type of ovarian cancer. This type of tumor is known as a sex cord-stromal tumor and usually occurs in adults. Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary cause higher than normal levels of estrogen in a woman’s body.

What do granulosa cell tumors produce?

Granulosa cell tumors usually produce estrogens, and hence, cause symptoms and signs of estrogen excess such as endometrial hyperplasia in 50% of the cases and adenocarcinoma uterus in 5–15% of the cases; mostly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

What type of bodies are found in granulosa cell Tumour?

Granulosa cell tumors are alpha-inhibin and calretinin positive, with the latter marker being more sensitive but less specific. Other immunostains that are typically positive in granulosa cell tumors include vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and CD99 (MIC2).

Do granulosa cell tumors produce estrogen?

Adult granulosa cell tumors are common among women in their fifties and are known for estrogen production, although about 30% of cases do not produce estradiol [2]. The major symptom of granulosa cell tumors is postmenopausal genital bleeding, which is attributed to estrogen production [3].

What is characteristic of a granulosa cell?

The nuclei usually are large pale ovoid or angular structures containing nuclear grooves that give them a “coffee-bean” appearance (see image below). Microfollicular pattern of an adult granulosa cell tumor at 100X magnification. Inset is characteristic Call-Exner bodies and nuclear grooves (400X).

Where are granulosa cells located?

ovarian follicle
Granulosa cells form a single layer around the mammalian oocyte in the primordial ovarian follicle and advance to form a multilayered cumulus oophorus surrounding the ovum in the Graafian follicle. The major functions of granulosa cells include the production of steroids and LH receptors.

What is the function of the granulosa cell?

Granulosa cells play a key role in the female reproductive system. They help you get and stay pregnant. Granulosa cells produce reproductive hormones and support ovarian follicles. These follicles are small sacs of fluid in your ovaries that contain eggs.

Is granulosa cell tumor benign or malignant?

Introduction. Ovarian granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is a malignant tumor originating from the sex-cord stromal cells of the ovary. It is an uncommon primary malignant tumor of the ovary and represents 2% to 5% of all ovarian cancers [1].