Here are commonly asked questions regarding Granulosa Cell Tumors (GCT).
How is GCT diagnosed?
Granulosa cell tumors are most commonly diagnosed based on pathology from a tissue sample. A doctor trained in looking at body tissues, a pathologist, will analyze the tissue and make this diagnosis. In general, ovarian cancers are not biopsied without surgery because if the tumor ruptures, it can affect the tumor stage and thus the prognosis of the cancer.
Are there tumor markers elevated in GCT?
Tumor markers are blood tests that can be done to test if there is GCT present.
CA125 is a common ovarian tumor marker that can be elevated in ovarian cancers and granulosa cell tumors. There are different levels of normal depending on the lab it is drawn from and whether or not a woman is premenopausal or postmenopausal. In addition, there are other conditions that can lead to it being elevated without ovarian cancer.
Inhibin A and Inhibin B are commonly elevated tumor markers in GCT. Often times both will be tested after diagnosis to see which one your tumor elevates. This may be one or the either or neither. The levels of normal also depend on whether you are premenopausal or postmenopausal.
AMH or Antimullerian hormone is another tumor marker that has been used.