An Occult Leydig Cell Tumour in a Postmenopausal Woman Presenting with Alopecia and Hirsutism: A Case Report

• Published in: TouchREVIEWS in endocrinology Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 75 - 78
• Main Authors: Shwana, Shuann, Shrikrishnapalasuriyar, Natasha, Yin, Win, Vij, Monica, Kalhan, Atul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Touch Medical Media 01.04.2021
• Subjects: Endocrine Oncology; testosterone; hirsutism; Leydig cell tumour
• DOI: 10.17925/EE.2021.17.1.75

Progressive hirsutism and moderate to severe male-pattern balding in women requires exclusion of an adrenal or ovarian tumour, especially in the presence of significantly elevated androgen levels. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who was referred to an endocrinology clinic with insidious onset excessive facial hair growth and loss of scalp hair. Her testosterone levels were significantly elevated at 13 nmol/L (normal range: 0.1-1.4 nmol/L), although dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were normal, suggestive of an ovarian source of androgens. Repeated radiologic investigations, including pelvic ultrasound, and abdominal and pelvic computed tomography, could not identify the obvious source of androgens. Based on strong clinical suspicion of an ovarian tumour, she underwent an elective salpingo-oophorectomy, which detected an occult Leydig cell tumour on histopathological analysis. Post-operatively, her hyperandrogenic features significantly improved and testosterone levels normalized.