Distribution of Y-chromosome-bearing cells in gonadoblastoma and dysgenetic testis in 45,X/46,XY infants

Abstract

Gonadoblastoma is an unusual mixed germ cell–sex cord–stromal tumor that has the potential for malignant transformation and 30% of all patients with gonadoblastoma develop germ cell tumors mainly dysgerminoma/seminoma. An additional 10% gives rise to other malignant germ cell neoplasms. This tumor affects a subset of patients with intersex disorders. The age at diagnosis is variable ranging from birth to the fourth decade, but around 94% of cases are diagnosed during the first three decades of life and there are few cases with gonadoblastoma diagnosed in infants. In this paper, we present the histological and molecular findings of four patients with gonadal dysgenesis who developed gonadoblastoma in the first 2 years of life and one case with bilateral dysgerminoma diagnosed at 15 years of age. The sex chromosomes of mosaic patients do not distribute homogenously in dysgenetic gonads; however, statistical analysis of FISH results revealed significant differences between the XY cell line in the gonadoblastoma compared with the dysgenetic testis. Our cases demonstrate that tumors could be present at a very early age, so the prophylactic removal of the gonads is advised.