Ovarian neoplasms that secrete hormones, most commonly steroid hormones. Most are of sex cord-stromal origin. Other types include germ cell tumors and neuroendocrine tumors. Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors are characterized by abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and hemorrhage of hormonal or steroidal origin. Most typically occurring in the seventh and eighth decades of life, these tumors are usually unilateral, solid, and nonmalignant. Ovarian germ cell tumors present most commonly as a large pelvic mass in females in the late teens and early twenties. Signs and symptoms include abdominal distention, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, hirsutism, virilization, and precocious puberty. Ovarian germ cell tumors include a wide variation of tumor types. Common benign tumors (dermoid cyst or benign teratoma) may in later life become malignant squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant types include dysgerminomas, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinomas, yolk sac tumor, and immature teratoma, and may be prone to metastases. Complications due to ovarian torsion, tumor rupture, and hemorrhage (acute abdomen) may be life-threatening emergencies.

Management of sex cord tumors includes surgical resection, chemotherapy, surgical debulking, and close monitoring for recurring disease. Therapies for germ cell tumors include oophorectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, chemotherapy, and resection, while preserving fertility in the childbearing age group. Prognosis is good when detected and treated in earlier stages.