Hyperthecosis
Encyclopedia
Hyperthecosis is hyperplasia
of the theca interna of the ovary
. It is when an area of luteinization occurs along with stromal hyperplasia. The luteinized cells produce androgens, which may lead to hirsutism
and virilization
(or masculinization).
The term hyperthecosis refers to the presence of nests of luteinized theca cells in the ovarian stroma due to differentiation of the ovarian interstitial cells into steroidogenically active luteinized stromal cells. These nests or islands of luteinized theca cells are scattered throughout the stroma of the ovary, rather than being confined to areas around cystic follicles as in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The result is greater production of androgens.
The clinical features of hyperthecosis are similar to those of PCOS. However, women with hyperthecosis often have more markedly elevated testosterone, more hirsutism, and are much more likely to be virilized. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian hyperthecosis are discussed here. The clinical presentation and diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome are reviewed separately. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/ovarian-hyperthecosis)
Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia means increase in number of cells/proliferation of cells. It may result in the gross enlargement of an organ and the term is sometimes mixed with benign neoplasia/ benign tumor....
of the theca interna of the ovary
Ovary
The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in anatomically female individuals are analogous to testes in anatomically male individuals, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands.-Human anatomy:Ovaries...
. It is when an area of luteinization occurs along with stromal hyperplasia. The luteinized cells produce androgens, which may lead to hirsutism
Hirsutism
Hirsutism or frazonism is the excessive hairiness on women in those parts of the body where terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal - for example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern...
and virilization
Virilization
In biology and medicine, virilization refers to the biological development of sex differences, changes that make a male body different from a female body. Most of the changes of virilization are produced by androgens...
(or masculinization).
See also
- Sexual differentiationSexual differentiationSexual differentiation is the process of development of the differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote...
- Secondary sex characteristicSecondary sex characteristicSecondary sex characteristics are features that distinguish the two sexes of a species, but that are not directly part of the reproductive system. They are believed to be the product of sexual selection for traits which give an individual an advantage over its rivals in courtship and aggressive...
s - Ambiguous genitalia
- AndrogenAndrogenAndrogen, also called androgenic hormone or testoid, is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors...
- ClitoromegalyClitoromegalyClitoromegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the clitoris ....
- HirsutismHirsutismHirsutism or frazonism is the excessive hairiness on women in those parts of the body where terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal - for example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern...
The term hyperthecosis refers to the presence of nests of luteinized theca cells in the ovarian stroma due to differentiation of the ovarian interstitial cells into steroidogenically active luteinized stromal cells. These nests or islands of luteinized theca cells are scattered throughout the stroma of the ovary, rather than being confined to areas around cystic follicles as in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The result is greater production of androgens.
The clinical features of hyperthecosis are similar to those of PCOS. However, women with hyperthecosis often have more markedly elevated testosterone, more hirsutism, and are much more likely to be virilized. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian hyperthecosis are discussed here. The clinical presentation and diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome are reviewed separately. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/ovarian-hyperthecosis)