Leydig-cell tumour in children: variable clinical presentation, diagnostic features, follow-up and genetic analysis of four cases

Petkovic, Vibor; Salemi, Souzan; Vassella, Erik; Karamitopoulou-Diamantis, Evanthia; Meinhardt, Udo J; Flück, Christa E; Mullis, Primus E (2007). Leydig-cell tumour in children: variable clinical presentation, diagnostic features, follow-up and genetic analysis of four cases. Hormone research, 67(2), pp. 89-95. Basel: Karger 10.1159/000096356

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BACKGROUND: Testicular tumours are relatively uncommon in infants and children, accounting for only 1-2% of all paediatric solid tumours. Of these approximately 1.5% are Leydig-cell tumours. Further, activating mutations of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene (LHR), as well as of the G protein genes, such as Gsalpha (gsp) and Gialpha (gip2) subunits, and cyclin-dependent kinase gene 4(CDK4) have been associated with the development of several endocrine neoplasms. AIMS/METHODS: In this report, the clinical variability of Leydig-cell tumours in four children is described. The LHR-, gsp-, gip2- and CDK4 genes were investigated to establish the possible molecular pathogenesis of the variable phenotype of the Leydig-cell tumours. RESULTS: No activating mutations in these genes were found in the four Leydig-cell tumours studied. Therefore, the absence of activating mutations in LHR, as well as in both the 'hot spot' regions for activating mutations within the G-alpha subunits and in the regulatory 'hot spot' on the CDK4 genes in these tumours indicates molecular heterogeneity among Leydig-cell tumours. CONCLUSION: Four children with a variable phenotype caused by Leydig-cell tumours are described. A molecular analysis of all the 'activating' genes and mutational regions known so far was performed, but no abnormalities were found. The lessons learnt from these clinically variable cases are: perform ultrasound early and most importantly, consider discrepancies between testicular swelling, tumour size and androgen production.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Further Contribution)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Pharmacology 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Pathology
UniBE Contributor:	Petkovic, Vibor, Salemi, Souzan, Vassella, Erik, Flück Pandey, Christa Emma, Mullis, Primus-Eugen
ISSN:	0301-0163
ISBN:	17047343
Publisher:	Karger
Language:	English
Submitter:	Anette van Dorland
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:48
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2023 23:22
Publisher DOI:	10.1159/000096356
PubMed ID:	17047343
Web of Science ID:	000243966100007
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/19990 (FactScience: 3069)