Gonadoblastoma in Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome A Case Report

We report a case of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) characterized by malignant degeneration of the testes consisting of gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma. AIS is a rare inherited form of male pseudohermaphroditism that can manifest as a normal female phenotype without müllerian derivatives and absence of the upper third of the vagina. A 32-year-old white 46,XY female with AIS underwent removal of the dysgenetic gonads at the Gynecological Oncology Department of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy. We investigated cytogenetic alterations, hormonal levels and the presence of neoplasia in the dysgenetic gonads. Histological analysis revealed a gonadoblastoma mixed with dysgerminoma in the left gonad and a pure dysgerminoma in the right gonad. The patient's hormonal status matched that of a male. Second-look laparotomy after chemotherapy showed a complete pathological response.

AIS should be suspected in phenotypically female patients with primary amenorrhea; surgical removal of the gonads is mandatory to avoid malignant degeneration.

Familial 46,XY sex reversal without campomelic dysplasia caused by a deletion upstream of the SOX9 gene

BACKGROUND

46,XY sex reversal is a rare disorder and familial cases are even more rare. The purpose of the present study was to determine the molecular basis for a family with three affected siblings who had 46,XY sex reversal.

METHODS

DNA was extracted from three females with 46,XY sex reversal, two normal sisters, and both unaffected parents. All protein coding exons of the SRY and NR5A1 genes were subjected to PCR-based DNA sequencing. In addition, array comparative genomic hybridization was performed on DNA from all seven family members. A deletion was confirmed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression of SOX9 gene was quantified using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A 349kb heterozygous deletion located 353kb upstream of the SOX9 gene on the long arm of chromosome 17 was discovered in the father and three affected siblings, but not in the mother. The expression of SOX9 was significantly decreased in the affected siblings. Two of three affected sisters had gonadoblastomas.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of 46,XY sex reversal in three siblings who have a paternally inherited deletion upstream of SOX9 associated with reduced SOX9 mRNA expression.

Early presentation of bilateral gonadoblastomas in a Denys-Drash syndrome patient: a cautionary tale for prophylactic gonadectomy

Mutation of the Wilms tumor gene (WT1) is associated with two well-described syndromes called Denys-Drash (DDS) and Frasier (FS). Both are associated with nephropathy and ambiguous genitalia and have overlapping clinical and molecular features. The known risk of Wilms tumor in DDS and gonadoblastoma (GB) in FS patients requires tumor surveillance. The literature reports the occurrence of GB in DDS as lower than FS. This case highlights a very early presentation of bilateral GB in DDS and the consideration of early prophylactic gonadectomy at the time of diagnosis with DDS.

[Identification of potential neoplastic risk in gonadal development abnormality with Y chromosome of 79 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the potential neoplastic risk in gonadal development abnormality with Y chromosome.

METHODS

Inquiries about the illness history were made. Lymphocyte chromosomal karyotype of peripheral blood was analyzed. Sex determining region Y gene and relative steroids and enzymes were detected. Gonadal site was examined through medical imaging. Gonadal excision was performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Pathological examinations were done on all of the specimens.

RESULTS

Among 41 cases of androgen insensitive syndrome, spermatogenic cell neoplasm occurred in 1 patient, sertoli cell tumor in 2, and interstitial cell hyperplasia in 5. Among 14 cases of 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency (XY) syndrome, one was sertoli cell tumor, and one was sertoli cell hyperplasia. In 4 cases of XY pure gonadal dysgenesis, one was gonadoblastoma with dysgerminoma. One of 16 cases of XO/XY gonadal dysgenesis was spermatogenic cell neoplasm with agenda cell tumor. Four cases of testes degeneration were all with dysgenetic testes. All of the gonadoblastoma and germ-cell tumor were located in the pelvis. Tumors occurred mostly during 15 years of age to 32 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The gonads of XY pure gonadal dysgenesis has high risks of gonadoblastoma and germ-cell tumor. The older the onset age after puberty, the higher the malignancy risk is. Once diagnosed, bilateral gonads should be excised as soon as possible.

Polycystic ovary and gonadoblastoma in Turner's syndrome

Turner's syndrome (TS) is characterized by typical facial features, short stature, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, streak gonads, infertility, hearth and kidney malformations. Typical karyotype is 45,X0; however, 6% of TS have mosaic patterns including Y chromosome or fragments of Y. This karyotype is a risk factor of developing a dysgerminoma in dysgenic gonads. Furthermore, rare cases of polycystic ovary are described in young-adult patients with TS. We describe the clinical case of a 12-year-old girl with TS treated with GH who showed a good response to treatment. She developed an ovary with histological polycystic pattern and a contralateral gonadoblastoma in the streak gonad. Laparoscopic gonadectomy was performed, with a good prognosis. Of remark is the opportunity to carry out gonadectomy in prepubertal age in girls with TS and Y chromosome material. This is a rare precocious case of polycystic ovary in TS, with different evolution in the two gonads with different histological differentiation.

Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy in a 17-year-old with Frasier syndrome reveals gonadoblastoma and seminoma: a case report

Mutations in the Wilms' tumor gene are present in children with Frasier syndrome, Denys-Drash syndrome, WAGR syndrome, and some cases of Wilms' tumor. The Wilms' tumor gene product, WT1, is necessary for normal urogenital development. Frasier syndrome is an association between focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, beginning in the second and third decade, male to female sex reversal, and dysgenetic gonads. We report a case of Frasier syndrome in a 17-year-old adolescent girl with renal failure, kidney transplant, and dysgenetic gonads, with development of gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma (seminoma). The diagnosis of Frasier syndrome was based on nephrotic syndrome with diffuse mesangial sclerosis leading to chronic renal failure, dysgenetic gonads, 46 XY karyotype in a phenotypic female, and a mutation in the Wilms' tumor gene. Prophylactic laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy revealed gonadoblastoma and seminoma in opposite atrophic ovaries as well as a hypoplastic uterus. Early prophylactic resection of dysgenetic gonads is indicated in children with Frasier syndrome to prevent the development of germ cell malignancy.

Involvement of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in germ cell tumours and in normal male fetal germ cell development

Intercellular contacts, mediated by E-cadherin, are essential for germ cell migration and maturation. Furthermore, it has been suggested that decrease or loss of E-cadherin correlates with tumour progression and invasive behaviour. beta-catenin is involved in a number of different processes, including cell--cell interaction when bound to cadherins, and determination of cell fate in pluripotent cells when activated via the Wnt signal-transduction pathway. To shed more light on the role of these factors in normal fetal germ cell development and the pathogenesis of germ cell tumours (GCTs), the present study investigated the presence and localization of E-cadherin and beta-catenin by immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin was only weakly expressed in or absent from fetal germ cells of the second and third trimesters, and was not expressed in carcinoma in situ/intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (CIS/ITGCNU) and gonadoblastoma, the precursor of an invasive GCT in dysgenetic gonads. In GCTs, it was generally not expressed in seminoma and dysgerminoma, but was found in the vast majority of non-seminoma cells. beta-catenin was found in the cytoplasm of fetal germ cells at all gestational ages and in spermatogenesis in post-pubertal testes. It was also present in CIS/ITGCNU and gonadoblastoma. Whereas seminomas and dysgerminoma were negative, non-seminoma cells were frequently found to express beta-catenin. Expression of both factors therefore reflects the degree of differentiation of these tumours. No differences for either E-cadherin or beta-catenin were observed between samples of tumours resistant or sensitive to chemotherapy, and E-cadherin expression did not correlate with vascular invasion. E-cadherin and beta-catenin therefore play a role in both normal and malignant germ cell development and differentiation that warrants further investigation, but they seem to be of limited value as predictive or prognostic factors in GCTs.

Molecular analysis of Frasier syndrome: mutation in the WT1 gene in a girl with gonadal dysgenesis and nephronophthisis

The Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) encodes a protein that is believed to exert transcriptional and tumor-suppressor activities. Mutations in this gene have occasionally been associated with Wilms' tumor (<15% patients) and, more consistently, with three syndromes characterized by urogenital abnormalities (WAGR, Denys-Drash and Frasier syndromes). We report 17 years follow-up of a 29 year-old phenotypic female with 46,XY karyotype, gonadal dysgenesis and nephronophthisis in order to identify possible germline alterations of the WT1 gene. Frasier syndrome was suspected and confirmed by genetic analysis. Sequence analysis permitted the identification of an A40-->G mutation in position +5 in the donor splice site of intron 9. During surgery for streak gonads extirpation, a microscopic gonadoblastoma was found, a typical complication of Frasier syndrome.

Microsatellite instability in gonadal tumors of XY pure gonadal dysgenesis patients

To investigate genetic alternation accompanied by malignant transformation in gonadal tumors of XY pure gonadal dysgenesis patients, we investigated microsatellite instability in the hMSH1, hMSH2, TP53, and DCC loci, and ras mutations in two patients. The gonadal tumors from the patients were combined gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma. Microsatellite instability and/or loss of heterozygotes (LOH) at hMSH1, hMSH2, and TP53 were detected in the dysgerminoma lesions of the both patients, but were not observed in any normal tissues. In the analyses of the H-, K-, or N-ras genes, where specific mutations have been frequently reported, no mutations were observed in the tumors. It is suggested therefore that microsatellite instability plays an important role in malignant transformation of gonadal tumors in patients with XY pure gonadal dysgenesis.

Short stature as the only presenting feature in a patient with an isodicentric (Y)(q11.23) and gonadoblastoma. A clinical and molecular cytogenetic study

A 13-year-old phenotypically female patient presented with short stature (height SDS -2.6), but without any Turner stigmata or other dysmorphic features. Chromosome analysis showed mosaicism for an isodicentric (idic) (Y)(q11.23) containing cell line and a 45,X cell line. Subsequent gonadectomy revealed a left streak ovary and a right ovary of abnormal appearance, which on histological examination appeared to contain a gonadoblastoma. DNA analysis showed that the proposed critical region of the gonadoblastoma locus on the Y chromosome was contained within the patient's idic (Y). Conclusion. The case described here shows that patients with 45,X/46,X, isodicentric (Yp) mosaicism and a female phenotype (1) can lack external virilisation but still have a gonadoblastoma and (2) do not necessarily have Turner stigmata but can present with only short stature. This case also underlines the importance of karyotyping patients with unexplained short stature to enable gonadectomy if Y-derived material is detected.

False-positive pregnancy test associated with gonadoblastoma

Gonadoblastomas are known to be hormonally active tumors that occur in streak or dysgenetic gonads of patients with intersex abnormalities. Several reports document their ability to produce beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), but none have documented an elevated peripheral serum beta-HCG. We report on the case of a patient with pure gonadal dysgenesis with XY karyotype who was found to have an elevated peripheral serum beta-HCG after a positive pregnancy test. Knowledge of gonadoblastoma's potential to elevate serum beta-HCG levels may prevent unnecessary searches for other causes.

PCR detection of Y-specific sequences in patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome: clinical implications and limitations

Cytogenetic analysis of patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) may fail to detect low levels of Y chromosome mosaicism or Y-derived marker chromosomes. More sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests have been developed; however, applicability of these data to prognosis of virilization and gonadoblastoma development has not been investigated adequately. We used a multiplex PCR-based method to detect two Y-specific sequences, SRY and AMGLY. Thirteen patients with UTS without cytogenetically detected Y chromosomes were studied. Y-specific sequences were detected in 5 patients by multiplex PCR. A cryptic translocation involving the Y chromosome was found in one patient with severe virilization of external genitalia and a male phenotype. Y chromosomal mosaicism was detected in peripheral blood and in both gonads of one patient, and only in the left gonad of another patient. Existence of a Y-derived marker was demonstrated in 2 patients, one of whom had no testicular tissue or virilization. Consistent with previous reports, we conclude that PCR is more sensitive than classical cytogenetic analysis and detects patients with Y-specific sequences in blood cells. However, the absence of Y-specific material in blood is not a sufficient reason to reject surgical treatment in case of virilization.

[Gonadal tumor and Y chromosome]

The histologic features of gonads occurrence of gonadal tumor, and RIA reproductive hormone levels in 50 cases containing a Y chromosome karyotype were analysed. The correlation between gonadal tumor and Y chromosome, clinical manifestation and genotype, and the principle of diagnosis and treatment are discussed. There were seven cases of gonadal tumor in these fifty cases the frequency of gonadal tumor is 14% (7/50). All of them were present in cases with gonadal dysgenesis, with the frequency rate of 27% (7/26). Five cases were bilateral, and two were unilateral, that made a total of twelve tumors in these seven cases. Gonadoblastoma was type of tumor commonly found, about 75% (9/12). The above date suggested that there is a higher frequency of gonadal tumor in cases of gonadal dysgenesis with a Y chromosome. Both hypergonadotropins and low sex steroids levels were the feature of gonadal dysgenesis, but no relative with occurrence of the tumor. The phenotype of these fifty cases were largely due to the process of abnormal sexual differentiation not only depend on the sex chromosome complement. In treatment, prophylactic bilateral gonadectomy is emphasized.

Gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma associated with 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis--a case report

Gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma developed in a 24-year-old phenotypic female patient with 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis. This patient presented with primary amenorrhea. Clinical characteristics showed a typical stigmata of gonadal dysgenesis: primary amenorrhea, sexual infantilism, a small uterus and bilateral streak gonads. A 46,XY karyotype was made by lymphocyte culture. The patient was counseled to undergo a prophylactic bilateral gonadectomy, but she refused. Three years and three months after the initial diagnosis she felt a growing pelvic mass. Bilateral gonadectomy and total hysterectomy were performed. Histological examination revealed gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma on both gonads. After surgery the patient received radiation therapy and also was started on hormone replacement therapy. Two years and two months after treatment by surgery the patient is well and free of recurrence.