Endocrine studies in the arrhenoblastoma

Urinary steroid excretion patterns before and after dexamethasone suppression were studied in a patient with arrhenoblastoma prior to operation, one week, and 5 months after the removal of the tumor. The routine 17-ketosteroid and total fractionated 17-ketosteroid values were elevated. The elevation was primarily in the 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroid fraction, with androsterone and etiocholanolone being prominent contributors. Only the 11-oxygenated 17-ketosteroid and tetrahydrocorticoid fractions were suppressed to undetectable levels with dexamethasone. After the removal of the arrhenoblastoma, all fractionated neutral steroid levels returned to normal limits and were suppressed well with dexamethasone. Studies of peripheral blood obtained prior to and after operation and ovarian vein blood obtained during operation provided evidence of the secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone, Δ⁴-androstenedione, and testosterone by the arrhenoblastoma.