Ovarian sertoli-leydig cell tumors

Abstract

Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are rare, most of them being endocrinologically active and causing virilization. Their histogenesis and nomenclature are still under discussion. Six such tumors were identified in the Laboratory for Histopathology of the University Women's Hospital, Zürich. The clinical data as well as the macroscopic, microscopic and ultrastructural features of these tumors are analysed and discussed. In an attempt to clarify their histogenesis, the ultrastructural features of these tumors have been compared with those of two granulosa cell tumors as well as with those of a testis in a patient with testicular feminization. Our own results and a study of published data suggest that Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors arise from ovarian stroma. Because of their obvious morphological similarities to testicular structures they should be termed "gonadal stromal tumors of android type".

Demonstration of Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases and Testosterone in the Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor (Androblastoma) Tissue of the Human Ovary: An Enzyme Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Study

“…islands of 'Leydig cells' [Genton, 1980;Genton and Schmid, 1981]. The ultrastructural report by Genton (1980] confirmed the similarities between these 'Sertoli cells' and 'Leydig cells' and those of human testicular Sertoli and Leydig cells.…”

“…The ultrastructural report by Genton (1980] confirmed the similarities between these 'Sertoli cells' and 'Leydig cells' and those of human testicular Sertoli and Leydig cells. In the tumor tissue both cell types showed the subcellular features important for steroidogenesis, e.g.…”

“…maleoriented mesonephric structures, and specific ovarian stroma cells [for references see Genton, 1980). The ex tensive studies bv Genton [1980] strengthened the view that the arrhenoblastoma tumor arises from ovarian stroma. The author proposed a new terminology for such tumors: 'gonadal stromal tumors of android type'.…”

“…The Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) occurs infre quently in the human ovary and is characterized by clear virilization which leads to the designation 'arrhenoblas toma' or 'androblastoma' [Novak and Long, 1965;Scul ly, 1977;Genton, 1980Genton, , 1982. The masculine symptoms of the patients, mostly young women, are: clitoral en largement, acne, hoarseness of the voice and hair growth (hypertrichosis) of the face and the body, these signs are often accompanied by defeminization e.g.…”

In vitro production of cyclic AMP and steroids from an ovarian Sertoli‐Leydig cell tumor

“…Maschler et al (22), finding a tumor with mixed ovarian-adrenal properties, would like to assume an adrenal origin. On the other hand, Genton (25) gives ultrastructural evidence for origin in ovarian stroma, and Kurman et al (26) with immunohistochemistry located primitive spindle cells in S-L tumors, similar to cells in the embryonic gonad. They suggest that such cells could be precursors of both Sertoli and Leydig cells.…”