Ovarian granulosa cell tumor is a rare sex cord-stromal malignancy (2%–5% of ovarian carcinomas). Its diagnosis and management become particularly challenging when this tumor is associated with pregnancy and complicated by intraoperative rupture.
A 40-year-old multiparous woman underwent emergency cesarean section for fetal distress at 39 weeks. A previously unidentified 2 cm left ovarian cyst was discovered and incidentally ruptured during cystectomy.
Histopathology analysis revealed the diffuse nests of monomorphic cells exhibiting nuclear grooves and Call-Exner bodies. Immunohistochemistry analysis was positive for FOXL2, inhibin, and vimentin, confirming adult granulosa cell tumor classified as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics IC1.
Initial cystectomy was performed. The patient subsequently underwent a postpartum fertility-sparing, including laparoscopic staging procedure, which included left salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy; no residual disease was identified.
No evidence of recurrence was detected during follow-up. The patient retained fertility potential and declined adjuvant therapy.
Systematic adnexal evaluation during cesarean sections is essential for detecting occult ovarian neoplasms, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and accessible intraoperative frozen section analysis, particularly in resource-limited settings.