Primary cutaneous endometriosis of thoracic skin with ovarian granulosa cell tumor

Abstract

A case of non-cicatricial endometriosis of the thoracic skin is described in a patient affected by an ovarian granulosa cell tumor, adult type. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of this type of association reported in the literature although some cases in which endometriosis was related to high estrogen levels are well documented. We suggest that in presence of an estrogen secreting neoplasm, foci of endometriosis might not be such a rare condition if clinicians and pathologists carefully looked for it.

Cutaneous endometriosis

“…The transformation into a carcinoma is quite rare, 20 but a case of association of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and giant cell fibroblastoma has been described in a vulvar tumor with intratumoral endometriosis 21 . Some cases of cutaneous endometriosis associated with neoplasic estrogenic secretion have also been reported, 22 as well as a case in a postmenopausal woman receiving hormone replacement therapy 23 . However, the pathogenic role of estrogens has not been clearly established.…”

Pathological studies on fallopian tube in relation to uterine lesions and ovarian abnormalities

“…The etiology of endometriosis and uterine leiomyomata are related to the presence of an estrogen -secreting neoplasm and that the presence of a state of hyperestrogenemia due to granulosa cell tumor over several years might have stimulated the development the endometriosis and leiomyomata (Kurioka et al, 1998). Ferrara et al, (1993) described, in a patient affected by an ovarian granulosa cell tumor (adult type), a case of non-cicatrical endometriosis of the thoracic skin. In cows, adenomyosis is observed occasionally as part of the local disarray of segmental aplasia.…”