Gonadal neoplastic related lesions in children with disorders of sexual development: a clinicopathological study of twelve cases

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of gonadal neoplastic related lesions in children with disorders of sexual development (DsD). Methods: The clinical manifestations, chromosomal karyotype, histology and immunophenotype of 12 cases of neoplastic related lesions from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou were analyzed during Jan 2015 to May 2020. Results: Twelve cases of neoplastic related lesions were screened in 205 cases of DsD, and 6 patients with gonadal germ cell neoplasia aged 3-13 years with an average age of 8.3 years. There were 2 males and 4 females. Clinical features showed malformation of external genitalia in 2 cases, short stature in 2 cases, clitoral enlargement in 1 case, lower abdominal pain and a huge pelvic mass in 1 case. Chromosomal karyotyping of peripheral blood showed 2 cases of 46XY and 4 cases of 45X/46XY. Fourteen gonadal specimens were examined. Microscopically, 1 case showed dysgerminoma in left ovary, and malignant mixed germ cell tumors in right ovary, as well as gonadoblastoma (GB) and undifferentiated gonadal tissue (UGT). The remaining 5 cases were all precursor lesions of germ cell tumor. Six specimens showed GB, 3 of UGT, and 3 specimens showed germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), one of which was accompanied by intratubular seminoma and 1 was GB with GCNIS. The other 6 patients with DsD were aged from 8 months to 2 years and 5 months, including 5 males and 1 females. Clinical manifestations showed 5 cases of hypospadias and 1 case of bilateral indirect inguinal hernia. Microscopically, 6 cases showed maturation delay of gonocytes in seminiferous tubules. Immunohistochemically, the primordial germ cells/gonocytes expressed OCT3/4, PLAP and c-KIT in the 12 cases. Conclusion: Gonadal neoplasia in children with DsD is mainly precursor lesions of germ cell tumor and improved understanding of these lesions is of great significance.