Cystic Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumour in a Postmenopausal Woman with Absent Virilising Symptoms: A Diagnostic Challenge

An 88-year-old woman with flushing, alopecia and hirsutism and a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour (SLCT) is a rare, androgen-secreting sex cord-stromal tumour of the ovary that usually occurs in young premenopausal women. The major clinical manifestations are virilisation and defeminisation. The following case describes an 88-year-old G1P1 woman, 40 years after menopause, who presented with flushing, hirsutism, voice changes and alopecia along with significantly elevated levels of testosterone. Postoperative report revealed a well-differentiated SLCT in the left ovary. This case is unique in that SLCT is a very rare cancer and even more so in an 88-year-old woman. Taking this case into consideration, it becomes reasonable to check androgen and oestrogen levels in postmenopausal women, not only in patients with signs of virilisation, but also in those with non-classical presentations, such as flushing or heat spells.