Assessment
› Patient History
• Ask about symptom onset and assess risk factors
• Ask about anabolic steroid use, which is known to cause the development of male characteristics in females and alterations
in female hormone production
› Physical Findings of Particular Interest
• For information, see Signs and Symptoms/Clinical Presentation, above
› Laboratory Tests That May Be Ordered
• Blood chemistry tests may be ordered, including protein and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, which may be
elevated; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, which are often decreased; and
androgen levels, which often show excessive androgen production, indicating excessive testosterone production
• CA-125 serum levels may be elevated, suggesting malignancy
• Inhibin tumor marker is usually elevated; serial testing of this marker may be ordered to monitor response to treatment and
evaluate for recurrence
› Other Diagnostic Tests/Studies
• Sonogram or ultrasound may show abnormal size and appearance of one or both ovaries and/or a pelvic mass
• CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis is usual to assess for metastasis