Abstract:

Ovarian steroid cell tumor (SCT) is a rare tumor of the ovary with malignant potential. The exact etiology of ovarian SCT is not known. Most of patients have the masculine signs with abnormally high androgen levels. The imaging examination is non-specific, making the preoperative diagnosis difficulty. The clinical diagnosis is easily missed and misdiagnosed. The definite diagnosis depends on histopathological findings and immunohistochemistry. However, the diagnosis is easily confused with polycystic ovary syndrome, luteal tumor of pregnancy, theca cell tumor and teratoma. The treatment should be individualized according to the benignity and malignancy of the tumor, and whether fertility is preserved or not. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment should be done as much as possible to improve the prognosis. This article reviews the research progress of ovarian SCT in order to improve clinicians′ understanding of the disease.

Key words: Ovarian neoplasms, Immunohistochemistry, Diagnosis, Therapy