A 20-year-old female was diagnosed with granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. Which of the following biomarkers would be most useful for diagnosis and follow-up of the patient?
## **Core Concept**
The question tests knowledge of tumor markers associated with specific gynecological malignancies. Granulosa cell tumors are sex cord-stromal tumors that produce estrogen. The correct tumor marker should be related to the pathology of these tumors.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Inhibin**, is a protein complex produced by granulosa cells in the ovaries and Sertoli cells in the testes. In the context of granulosa cell tumors, inhibin B is particularly useful as a tumor marker for diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment or recurrence. Inhibin suppresses the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. Elevated levels of inhibin B can indicate the presence of a granulosa cell tumor.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** While certain tumor markers like CA-125 are commonly elevated in epithelial ovarian cancers, they are not specific for granulosa cell tumors.
- **Option B:** This option might relate to other types of tumor markers but is not specified; however, based on the context, it's less directly related to granulosa cell tumors compared to inhibin.
- **Option D:** This option could potentially refer to other tumor markers, but similar to option B, it's not directly related to the specific pathology of granulosa cell tumors.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical pearl is that **inhibin B** levels are useful not only for the initial diagnosis of granulosa cell tumors but also for monitoring disease recurrence. This is crucial because granulosa cell tumors can recur many years after the initial diagnosis.
## **Correct Answer:** . Inhibin