Virilizing Ovarian Tumor: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Virilizing Ovarian Tumor?
A gynecologist usually manages this problem, and a gynecologic oncologist may be involved, especially when cancer is possible. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
A virilizing ovarian tumor is a rare growth on an ovary. Virilizing means the tumor makes male hormones, called androgens, in amounts the body does not normally make. These extra hormones can cause changes that look like male traits. Most of these tumors are not cancer, but some are.
Symptoms
The extra male hormones cause changes that doctors call virilization, often over months:
- More hair on the face, chest, or belly
- Deeper or hoarser voice
- Worse acne and oilier skin
- Loss of scalp hair, sometimes in a pattern like male baldness
- Bigger clitoris
- Smaller breasts and more muscle mass
- Irregular or missed menstrual periods
Causes and who gets it
These tumors start in the ovary, usually in hormone-making cells. Types include Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and Leydig cell tumors. Most are not cancer, but some are and need faster, stronger treatment. They are rare and can happen at almost any age.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor starts with a physical exam and blood tests to measure hormone levels, including testosterone. High testosterone from an ovarian tumor is often much higher than in other causes of extra hair or acne. An ultrasound makes pictures of the ovaries, and an MRI may add detail. A removed tumor is studied in a lab to tell whether it is cancer.
Treatment
Surgery is the main treatment. The surgeon removes the tumor, and sometimes the whole ovary. In young women who want children later, doctors can often remove just the tumor and keep the ovary when it is not cancer. Hormone levels usually fall after surgery, but some changes, such as a deeper voice, may not fully go away. If the tumor is cancer, chemotherapy or radiation may be added.
When to see a doctor
Anyone who notices new facial hair, a deeper voice, bad acne, or periods that stop should talk to a doctor. Most causes are not tumors, but symptoms that come on quickly or keep getting worse deserve a check.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
Either a direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a good first stop. These doctors often have longer visits and can order hormone blood tests and an ultrasound. If the tests point to an ovarian tumor, they will refer the patient to a specialist for surgery and further care.
Common questions
Are these tumors cancer?
Most virilizing ovarian tumors are not cancer. A lab test after surgery tells the care team for sure. If cancer is found, more treatment is usually needed.
Will my symptoms go away after treatment?
Many symptoms, such as extra hair and irregular periods, often improve after the tumor is removed. Some changes, like a deeper voice or an enlarged clitoris, may be partly permanent. Results differ from person to person.
Can this affect my ability to have children?
If doctors can remove only the tumor and keep one healthy ovary, fertility is often preserved. If both ovaries must be removed, periods stop and pregnancy is no longer possible without help from fertility treatments. The surgical team will discuss options before surgery.
Could the symptoms come from something else?
Yes. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, a common hormone problem, can cause extra hair and acne. That is why blood tests and imaging help doctors find the true cause.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
