Ovarian granulosa cell tumors : histopathology, immunopathology and prognosis

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary account for 2% of all ovarian tumors. As the name indicates, they are composed of granulosa cells but may also contain an admixture of theca cells. They are potentially malignant but, except for extraovarian spread, which is generally agreed to indicate poor prognosis other criteria to judge the prognosis remain in dispute. The aim of this study was to examine a series of these tumors histopathologically, immunohistochemically and by flow cytometry in order to achieve a higher diagnostic accuracy and to ascertain which criteria are of prognostic value. Sixty-one cases were studied. Fifty-one of these patients had been referred to the Netherlands Committee for Ovarian Tumors in the period 1966 to 1985 while 10 cases originally diagnosed as granulosa cell tumor and referred to the Rotterdam Radiotherapy Institute for treatment were retrieved. Follow-up of these patients to a maximum period of 19 years was available.