Retrospective Analysis of 32 Cases of Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumours

Granulosa cell tumour (GCT) comprises 2–5% of ovarian malignancies. They are hormonally active tumours and may present with menstrual complaints, abdominal distension or infertility. Prognosis is generally favourable because of the early stage at diagnosis and less aggressive behaviour.

Medical records of 32 cases presenting from January 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively analysed for the patient characteristics, tumour characteristics and the treatment received.

The mean age was 42.75 ± 10.25 years (range: 22 to 70 years). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal distension (50.00%) followed by menstrual complaints. The mean tumour diameter was 15.24 cm (range: 4–25 cm). Endometrial pathology was found in 4 patients (12.50%), and all had simple hyperplasia without atypia. Twenty-four patients underwent primary staging surgery; one patient underwent interval debulking surgery after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven patients had undergone surgery elsewhere of which 4 underwent re-staging and three were given chemotherapy. All patients had the final histopathology of adult granulosa cell tumour except one patient with juvenile granulosa cell tumour. Most patients had stage I disease (81.25%). Post-operative chemotherapy was administered to 22 patients. The most commonly used regimen was paclitaxel and carboplatin. The overall 5-year survival rate was 90%. The mean overall survival was 36.95 ± 34.08 months (range: 0.50 to 112.00 months). Two patients had recurrence at 38 and 44 months, respectively.

GCT of the ovary is a rare tumour with a tendency for late relapse. Survival is generally excellent as majority of the patients present in early stages.