Ectopic Hormone Production from Ovarian Tumor: A Review

Although ectopic hormone-production is uncommon complication, certain tumors can produce symptoms due to the secretion of various bioactive substances accompanied by the aberrantly located tumors. Because of the potential for the ovary to act as a source of aberrant hormone secretion, in the literature, ectopic hormone production from ovarian tumor includes granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), peptide-YY, gastrin and insulin. All patients may present with syndromes of hormone excess. Failure to localize the ovarian tumor preoperatively may be associated with a significantly higher risk of subsequent unnecessary ablative procedures. Better characterization of hormonal forms relatively specific for neoplasia may enhance the clinical value of ectopic hormones as tumor markers, especially in malignancies that are commonly associated with ectopic hormone production. These circumstances may recommend complete preoperative evaluation of the pelvis in female patients presenting with nonlocalizable endocrine tumors.