Part of “CHAPTER 102 – FUNCTIONING TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE CONDITIONS OF THE OVARY“

Various peptides that induce endocrine or endocrine-like effects may be produced by a few ovarian tumors. The effects include hypercalcemia, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, Cushing syndrome, and polycythemia (see Chap. 219).38 Hypercalcemia has
been described with clear cell carcinoma, serous carcinoma, dysgerminoma, and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.39 The latter is a rare, highly malignant tumor of young women. Thyroid-stimulating hormone may be produced by neoplastic cells, usually trophoblastic cells (see Chap. 112). Nontrophoblastic ovarian tumors can produce prolactin and hCG-like substances. Rarely, Cushing syndrome results from adrenocorticotropic hormone production by ovarian carcinoma or a malignant Sertoli cell tumor. Mild polycythemia may be associated with virilizing tumor.