COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY, DIAGNOSIS, STAGING AND FOLLOW-UP OF PURE GRANULOSA-CELL TUMOR OF THE OVARY

Granulosa theca cell tumours represent the largest group of hormone-se creting ovarian tumours and comprise approximately 1.5% of all ovarian malignancy. However, the prognosis and behaviour of pure granulosa ce ll tumours have been particularly difficult to evaluate, because in pr evious reports they have been grouped with granulosa theca cell tumour s. Consequently, their radiological features and the possible contribu tion of computed tomography (CT) to clinical management has not been e valuated. We report the CT appearances of 15 patients with pure granul osa cell tumours and their clinical outcome. The results suggest the p ossibility of a positive relationship between histological grade and F IGO stage at presentation. Large tumour volume, extensive lymph node i nvolvement and ascites on CT are adverse prognostic features. However, patients with abdominal masses less than 9 cm in diameter, absent or small volume lymph node disease and peritoneal and liver metastases ac hieved complete remission, suggesting that CT can assist in identifyin g those patients likely to respond best to current therapeutic regimen s.