JILTI. 2025; 3(2): 55-60 | DOI: 10.14744/jilti.2025.28291

Treatment of Recurrent Granulosa Cell Tumors of the Ovaries: Single-center Experience

Cemalettin Koc¹, Tevfik Tolga Sahin¹, Ozlem Dalda², Ercan Yilmaz³, Sezai Yilmaz^1
1Inonu University Liver Transplant Institute, Malatya, Türkiye
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine Malatya, Türkiye
³Department of Pathology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Türkiye

Objectives: Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare ovarian tumors with a high rate of late recurrence, which can present a significant challenge for surgical management. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of debulking surgery for recurrent GCTs that involve major abdominal vessels and the liver.
Methods: We present a retrospective case series of three patients with recurrent GCTs who were treated at our reference center between 2024 and 2025. We collected data on patient demographics, medical history, recurrence location, treatment details, and follow-up. All data are presented descriptively.
Results: The patients' ages ranged from 53 to 70 years. The time from initial surgery to the first recurrence ranged from 6 to 26 years. Two patients experienced extra-pelvic recurrences in the retroperitoneal space, while one had a pelvic recurrence. All three patients underwent debulking surgery, with two patients experiencing second recurrences and one patient experiencing a third. One patient required anterior wall resection and reconstruction of the Inferior Vena Cava (VCI). Notably, two patients had elevated levels of CEA and CA-125 that peaked before recurrence.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the number of GCT recurrences is not as critical as the ability to perform a complete, safe resection. Surgery alone, with a focus on radical resection of recurrent foci, appears to be the primary determinant of favorable patient survival, even when it involves complex procedures like oncovascular resection. Repeated resections, even for multiple recurrences, can lead to favorable long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Granulosa Cell Tumors, Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, Radical Surgery, Repeated Resections

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