A recurrent granulosa cell tumor of the ovary 25 years after the initial diagnosis: A case report

Highlights

• •We experienced a rare case of lately recurrent granulosa cell tumors.
• •Granulosa cell tumors rarely metastasize to the liver.
• •Diagnostic laparoscopy is useful for definitive diagnosis.
• •Aggressive therapy may contribute of the patient’s long-term prognosis.

Abstract

Introduction

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare functional sex-cord-stromal ovarian neoplasms characterized by low malignancy potential and late relapse, which rarely metastasize to the liver.

Presentation of case

A 43-year-old female, who had undergone surgery to treat a GCT of the left ovary in 1976, complained of abdominal distention in May 2001. Imaging studies demonstrated masses in the right lobe of the liver, together with massive ascites. The patient’s bloody ascites showed no cytological evidence of malignancy. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, and the biopsy specimen was histologically proven to be a recurrent granulosa cell tumor. The patient was successfully treated surgery followed by systemic chemotherapy. Her postoperative course was uneventful and systemic chemotherapy was repeated due to the suspicion of a recurrence in the pelvic cavity.

Discussion

GCTs which are rare malignant tumors of the ovary, tend to be associated with late recurrence. Although most recurrences occur within 10 years after the initial diagnosis, there are occasional reports of recurrences after 10 years have been. We experienced the rare case of a patient who relapsed 25 years after the initial diagnosis.

Conclusion

The long natural history of this disease highlights the importance of extended follow up for GCT patients. In addition, aggressive therapy including surgery and chemotherapy may contribute to a patient’s long-term prognosis.

1. Introduction

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare functional sex-cord-stromal ovarian neoplasms characterized by low malignancy potential and late relapse, which rarely metastasize to the liver [1]. We describe a patient with a recurrent ovarian GCT with extensive liver metastasis 25 years after her initial diagnosis, for which diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy were useful.

2. Case presentation

A 43-year-old female, gravida 2, para 2, with a history of left salpingo-oophorectomy in 1976 for GCT, underwent an examination after presenting with abdominal distention in May 2001. Massive ascites and multilocular masses were observed in the right lobe of the liver on ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT). Paracentesis revealed bloody ascites with a class II cytology. The diagnosis on referral to our hospital, was a possible cystadenocarcinoma of the liver.

On physical examination, the patient’s abdomen was distended with massive ascites. The laboratory examinations revealed no abnormalities: the level of estradiol and tumor markers including CA546, CA125, CEA, C19-9, and DUPAN-2 were all normal. A US revealed massive ascites. Repeated paracentesis of the abdomen failed to demonstrate malignant cells. An abdominal US and CT demonstrated multilocular cystic masses in the right lobe of the liver measuring 10 cm in diameter, while a 2 cm cyst was detected in the right ovary. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the liver masses were found to have extended superiorly and invaded the diaphragm (Fig. 1). Angiography demonstrated the encasement of the right hepatic artery and the inferior phrenic artery branches and tumor neovascularity (Fig. 2A and B). Although the imaging studies were highly suggestive of cystadenocarcinoma of the liver, the diagnosis of recurrent GCT could not be ruled out.

Fig. 1.

MRI of the abdomen reveals the liver masses invading the diaphragm.

Fig. 2.

Angiography shows the encasement of the artery branches and neovasculatity (arrows). (A) The common hepatic artery. (B) The right inferior phrenic artery.

A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in May 2001. After the aspiration of 3400 ml of bloody ascites, multilocular masses were observed in the right lobe of the liver, which had ruptured, resulting in local peritoneal dissemination. A small cyst was also present in the right ovary. Biopsies of the liver, the right ovarian cyst and the areas of peritoneal dissemination revealed a GCT that resembled the previous pathology of the left ovary (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

The microscopic features of the original ovarian tumor. (A) The tumor cell is growing with a multiple distributive pattern, including macrofollicular and microfollicular patterns (H and E staining, ×100). (B) The original tumor also shows mitotic figures (circle) and grooves nuclei (arrow). (H and E staining, ×400).

Because of the favorable outcomes associated with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with recurrent GCTs, we speculated that a mass reduction and postoperative chemotherapy could give her the best chance of cure. We performed an extended right hepatic lobectomy with the combined resection of the diaphragm, cholecystectomy, omentectomy, right salpingo-oophorectomy, and hysterectomy. The final pathologic examination showed metastatic recurrent granulosa cell tumors of the liver and invasion into the diaphragm. A microscopic examination revealed a mostly microfollicular pattern of growth with Call–Exner bodies and occasional macrofollicular pattern areas (Fig. 4A). The nuclei of the tumor cells also showed mitotic figures and grooves resulting in a characteristic “coffee-bean-like” appearance (Fig. 4B). An immunohistochemical staining was performed and was positive for inhibin (Fig. 4C and D).

Fig. 4.

The microscopic features of the liver. (A) A granulosa cell tumor shows macrofollicular and microfollicular patterns. (H and E staining, ×100). (B) A microfollicular pattern with Call–Exner bodies. The nuclei show mitotic figures (circle) and grooves resulting in the characteristic “coffee-bean-like” appearance (arrow). (H and E staining, ×400). (C) A microfollicular pattern of growth with Call–Exner bodies surrounded by granulosa cells (H and E staining, ×400). (D) An immunohistological staining was positive for inhibin (×400).

The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful. After being discharged from the hospital, systemic chemotherapy was administered consisting of carboplatin and cyclophosphamide. The systemic chemotherapy was repeated again due to a suspected tumor recurrence in the pelvic space and liver. She remains alive at 14 years after the surgery.

3. Discussion

GCTs are rare tumors which account for approximately 2–3% of all ovarian malignancies. They are associated with a favorable prognosis, especially when they are detected in the early stages [2–4]. Björkholm and Silfversward reported in 1981 that the 5-year survival rates were over 95% for stage I, 55% for stage II, and 25% for stage III tumors [3]. Lauszus et al., reported that the survival rates for stage I at 5, 10 and 20 years were 94%, 82%, and 62%, respectively [4]. These data suggest that GCTs tend to be associated with late recurrence.

Several series have shown the recurrence rates range between 9 and 35% [3,4]. The recurrence of GCTs is associated with a poor prognosis. Although most recurrences are within 10 years after the initial diagnosis [4,5], there are reports of recurrence after 10 years. In our case, the patient relapsed 25 years after the initial diagnosis. Table 1 shows the reported cases of GCT recurrence after 20 years.

Table 1.

The reports of late recurring granulosa cell tumors (after >20 years).

Reference	Year	Disease-free interval (years)	Site of recurrence
Shimizu et al. [7]	1999	20	Lung
Spencer et al. [8]	1999	21	Lung
Stenwig et al. [5]	1979	22	Not specified
Li and van der Walt [9]	1984	22	Paraaortic, extending to kidney
Chen et al. [10]	2012	22	Peritoneum
Evans et al. [2]	1980	23	Not specified
Anikwue et al. [11]	1978	24	Not specified
Asschenfeldt and Thind [12]	1984	24	Peritoneum
Piura et al. [13]	1994	24	Liver, omentum, pelvis, lung
Pal and Chowdhury [14]	1986	25	Vulva
Hasiakos et al. [15]	2008	25	Pelvis
Hitchcock et al. [16]	1989	26	Peritoneum
Sommers et al. [17]	1955	26	Omentum
Chew et al. [18]	2003	29	Spleen
Singh-Ranger et al. [19]	2004	30	Pelvis
Hines et al. [1]	1996	37	Pelvis
East et al. [20]	2005	40	Not specified
(Present report)	2001	25	Liver, peritoneum, other ovary

GCTs are associated with a low incidence of hepatic metastasis(<5–6%) [6]. On imaging studies, the liver metastases of GCTs are characterized by thickened walls with hypervascularity and nodular excrescences. Our case was initially suspected of having a suspicious cystadenocarcinoma of the liver based on the CT findings, while angiography showed neovascularity of the tumor. However, because we could not rule out recurrent GCTs because of the patient’s past history, we performed a laparoscopic examination. We found the laparoscopic examination to be a safe and useful diagnostic technique.

Case of advanced metastatic GCTs, are typically treated, as our patient was treated, with aggressive surgical resection (when possible), followed by postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may have some effect in cases with minimal residual disease. Systemic chemotherapy should be prescribed to obtain better tumor control and an improved long-term survival rate. Although our patient experienced another recurrence at 2 years after the second surgery, her prognosis improved by combination chemotherapy and she remains alive after 14 years.

4. Conclusions

The long natural history of this disease highlights the importance of extended follow up for GCT patients. In addition, aggressive therapy including surgery and chemotherapy may contribute to a favorable long-term prognosis.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Funding

None.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal on request.

Author contributions

Fumihiko Fujita contributed reports retrieval and drafting of this manuscript. Eguchi Susumu and Mitsuhisa Takatsuki contributed surgical procedures of this case report. Kazuma Kobayashi and Kengo Kanetaka contributed acquisition of clinical data. Masahiro Ito and Kuniko Abe contributed pathological analysis. Tamotsu Kuroki contributed critical revision of this manuscript.

Guarantor

Fumihiko Fujita.