Granulosa and theca cell tumors of the ovary

Thirty ovarian tumors belonging to the granulosa and theca cell group of neoplasms are reported. They correspond in age incidence, clinical manifestations, and in gross and microscopic appearance with other reported cases. They differ in one major respect, that of malignancy. Only one tumor has proved to be malignant despite a follow-up record of four years or longer in 14 cases. By means of Laidlaw's silver stain granulosa-like cells were identified in all theca cell tumors and thecalike cells in a number of granulosa cell neoplasms. While our results are similar to those reported by Traut and Marchetti, we are not yet completely satisfied in regard to the recognition of these two types of cells by this method. Tumors of the theca cell group, however, had a later age incidence and presented sufficiently well-marked pathologic differences to warrant their continued recognition as a particular type of estrogen-secreting tumor. Two of the granulosa cell tumors were completely luteinized and one of these was of the unusual adenomatous type. The occurrence of 5 cases of carcinoma of the endometrium and 10 cases of uterine fibroids suggests a direct relationship between the ovarian neoplasm and the uterine tumors but does not warrant a definite conclusion in this regard.