Secreting ovarian tumors may protect women from osteoporosis

Objective. It is well known that ovarian steroids modulate bone turnover. Conditions associated with low levels of these hormones, such as menopause, hypogonadism, and others, have been related to osteopenia or osteoporosis. On the other hand, hyperandrogenism in premenopausal women, mainly in polycystic ovarian syndrome, has been reported to have a protective effect on bone mass. However, data regarding how bone mass is affected by neoformative processes in which steroids are increased are not as well documented. Our aim was to study the effect of secreting ovarian tumors on bone mass. Methods. A total of 14 patients were referred to our hospital because of endocrine ovarian tumors. Steroid levels were measured prior to and after surgery. Bone mineral density (BMD) by DEXA was assessed at inclusion in all cases. Additionally, in 7 women bone measurement was repeated after 1-year follow-up. The setting was a tertiary hospital. Results. All patients showed increased levels of testosterone, androstenedione, and free testosterone prior to surgery. BMD was also in the normal-upper range or over normal in all of them. As expected in the subjects with a second DEXA a decrease in bone mass was noted. Conclusion. Steroid secreting ovarian tumors increase bone mass and thus may protect women from later osteoporosis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.