Extraovarian granulosa cell tumor of mesentery: a case report

Primary retroperitoneal extraovarian granulosa cell tumor

Extraovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) develop from ectopic gonadal tissue situated along the embryonal route of the genital ridge. Primary retroperitoneal tumors are extremely rare, with an incidence of 02% -06% and 80-85% probability of malignancy. Only eight such case reports have been published previously. We herein, report a rare case of extraovarian retroperitoneal GCT in a 55-year-old woman who presented with intermittent left lumbar region pain of one-year duration. She had a history of hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy 8 years ago for uterine leiomyoma. Laparotomy revealed a retroperitoneal mass measuring 8cm x 10cm x 20cm in size, solid cystic with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage. The gross features, classical histopathology, and positive immunostaining of the retroperitoneal mass with inhibin, calretinin, PR, WT1 and immunonegativity for EMA were characteristic of adult-type GCT. Excluding any previous history of primary ovarian GCT in this patient, a de-novo retroperitoneal diagnosis was established.

Retroperitoneal pelvic tumours in women: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

BACKGROUND

Gynaecologic pelvic tumours are very common and they can present with a variety of symptoms depending on their size, location, pathophysiology and histogenesis. Infrequently, some pelvic tumours are found in the retroperitoneal space presenting with similar symptoms. Our objective is to present our experience and review of pertinent literature on miscellaneous retroperitoneal tumours.

METHODS

Four women with retroperitoneal tumours (one schwannoma, one granulosa cell tumour and two hindgut (tail gut) cysts)) were encountered during routine laparoscopy (3 cases) and laparotomy (one case). Following multidisciplinary consultation and additional imaging, all tumours were removed by laparotomy with one case provoking litigation due to ureteral and bowel injury.

RESULTS

Using these four cases, and additional cases from the literature, we highlight the potential pitfalls and provide an algorithm to minimize risks and adverse clinical and legal outcomes associated with unexpected retroperitoneal tumours. The algorithm includes resisting the impulse/temptation to remove or biopsy these tumours, requesting intra-operative consultation(s), obtaining additional detailed imaging to characterize these tumours, providing appropriate counselling to patients, obtaining informed consent, and consulting the appropriate surgical teams. At times, an interdisciplinary approach may prove to be the best course of action in order to optimize treatment and ensure patient safety.

CONCLUSION

If a retroperitoneal tumour is unexpectedly encountered, it is imperative to have intra-operative consultation (if available), to not attempt excision or biopsy, and to subsequently obtain post-operative multidisciplinary consultations, specific imaging, and information gathering in order to treat these heterogeneous masses as safely as possible.

Extra gonadal sclerosing stromal tumour in the transverse mesocolon

Sclerosing stromal tumour (SST) is a rare benign sex cord stromal tumour of the ovary. We report a case of sclerosing stromal tumour of the mesentery in a 32-year-old Para one who presented with intra abdominal mass, menstrual irregularity and secondary infertility. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the completely excised tumour was consistent with sclerosing stromal tumour, immunoreactive only to vimentin. No ovarian tissue was found in the sectioned tumour. Her menses became regular and she conceived 3 months after complete excision and delivered after 9 months. Hormonal assay was not done because SST was least suspected. From literature this is the first case of SST in the transverse mesocolon reported in the West African subregion, and may probably be one of the rare cases of hormonally active SST.

Extragonadal sclerosing stromal tumor: a rare case report

Sclerosing stromal tumor is a rare, benign, sex cord stromal tumor of the ovary. We report a case of extragonadal sclerosing stromal tumor in a 45-year-old woman who presented with menstrual irregularity and vague pelvic pain. Imaging studies showed a well-defined mass between the posterior wall of the bladder and uterus, suspected of being a pedunculated leiomyoma. The histopathological and immunohistochemical study was consistent with sclerosing stromal tumor. No ovarian tissue was found on representative sectioning. This is the first case of sclerosing stromal tumor in an extragonadal location.

Granulosa cells in the uterosacral ligament: case report and review of the literature

Granulosa cells are components of the sex cord-stromal cells in the ovary responsible for steroidogenesis. Uncommonly, extraovarian granulosa cells have been reported to be associated with malignant processes of the ovary. We report a unique case of benign granulosa cells, found during routine laparoscopic evaluation, in the uterosacral ligaments in a 20-year-old patient with chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Possible mechanisms include implantation of released granulosa cells from a normal ovary or arising from a focus of müllerianosis. Of note, a focus of endosalpingiosis and endometriosis was also identified within the specimen.