Use of a long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue in a postmenopausal woman with hyperandrogenism due to a hilus cell tumour

Objective: The aim of this study was to prove the utility of GnRH analogues for the suppression of androgen secretion in a postmenopausal woman with a suspected virilizing ovarian tumour. Design and Methods: We present a case of a 72-year-old woman with virilizat ion of recent onset. Hormonal studies revealed a fourfold increase in serum testosterone levels, normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations and high levels of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels. Computed axial tom ography scan of the ovaries was normal and the adrenal glands showed a disc rete enlargement. The long-acting GnRH analogue, triptorelin, was injected initially (3.75 mg i.m.) and serum hormone levels were measured weekly thro ughout one month. Results: GnRH produced a decrease in serum testosterone levels to normal va lues, in parallel with the suppression of serum LH and FSH concentrations. The patient was treated for three months with triptorelin and she experienc ed an amelioration of the hyperandrogenic symptoms. In order to achieve a d iagnosis, the patient was submitted to a laparotomy that revealed a small h ilus cell tumour in the left ovary. Conclusion: GnRH analogues may offer a good therapeutic option in some stat es of gonadotrophin-dependent hyperandrogenism of ovarian origin.