A case of testicular specialized gonadal stroma tumor was evaluated by histologic, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical techniques in a young adult male patient. The neoplastic cells were organized in cords or tubular structures delimited by a basement membrane. The ultrastructural findings suggested a diagnosis of a partially differentiated Sertoli cell tumor. This was also supported by the presence of a vimentin rich cytoskeleton, which is normally present in Sertoli and Leydig cells. The tumor cells did not secrete steroid hormones, as suggested by clinical findings, as well as by hormonal, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural observations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CzernobilskyH., CzernobilskyB., SchneiderH.G., FrankeW.W., ZieglerR.: Characterization of a feminizing testicular Leydig cell tumor by hormonal profile, immunocytochemistry, and tissue culture.Cancer, 56: 1667–1676, 1985.
2.
FawcettD.W.: Ultrastructure and function of the Sertoli cell. In: HamiltonD.W., GreepR.O. (Eds.), Handbook of Physiology, Vol. V, Male Reproductive System, pp. 21–57, Am. Physiol. Soc., 1975.
3.
FrankeW.W., GrundC., SchmidE.: Intermediate-sized filaments present in Sertoli cells are of vimentin type.Eur. J. Cell Biol., 19: 269–275, 1979.
4.
GodecC.J.: Malignant Sertoli cell tumor of testicle.Urology, 26: 185–188, 1985.
5.
MostofiF.K., PriceE.B.: Tumors of the male genital system. pp. 85–99, Atlas of Tumor Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C., 1973.
Perez-AtaydeA.A., NunezA.E., CarrollW.L., MurthyA.S.K., VaitukaitisJ.L., WatsonD.J., BauerS.B., KozakewichH.P.W.: Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor of the testis (an ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, and biochemical study).Cancer, 51: 2287–2292, 1983.
8.
RamosA.S., DymM.: Ultrastructural differentiation of rat Sertoli cell.Biol. Reprod., 21: 909–922, 1979.
9.
VirtanenI., KallajokiM., NärvänenO., ParankoJ., ThornellL.E., MiettinenM., LethoV.P.: Peritubular myoid cells of human and rat testis are smooth muscle cells that contain desmin-type intermediate filaments.Anat. Rec., 215: 10–20, 1986.
10.
Vortenbosch vanC.J.A.H.V., ColenbranderB., WensingC.J.G., RamaekersF.C.S., VooijsG.P.: Cytoplasmic filaments in fetal and neonatal pig testis.Eur. J. Cell Biol., 34: 292–299, 1984.
11.
WaxmanM., DamjanovI., KhapraA., LandauS.J.: Large cell calcifying Sertoli tumor of the testis. Light microscopic and ultrastructural study.Cancer, 54: 1574–1581, 1984.
