Dysgerminoma in Turner's syndrome

Dysgerminoma of the ovary in a patient with triple-X syndrome

A 24-year-old patient with dysgerminoma of the right ovary and hypoplastic left ovary was screened for chromosomal aberration. Triple-X syndrome was found in the oral epithelium and lymphocyte culture, while chromosomal in situ hybridization of the tumor itself showed a normal XX karyotype. Although trisomy X and dysgerminoma are coincidental findings in our case report, women with malignant germ cell tumors and abnormal genitalia should be checked for chromosomal aberrations to exclude anomalies carrying a Y chromosome.

Y Chromosomal Sequences Identified in Gonadal Tissue of Two 45,X Patients with Turner Syndrome

We examined excised gonadal tissue obtained from two 45,X patients for evidence of Y chromosomal material. Both patients had features atypical for individuals with Turner syndrome, a large dysgerminoma in patient 1 and clitoromegaly in patient 2. Southern blot analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA was performed for five Y chromosome-specific probes (SRY, ZFY. DYZ3, KALY, and DYZ1). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a combination probe specific for the DYZ1/DYZ3 loci was utilized. For both patients, Southern blot analysis of PCR-amplified DNA with primers for the SRY gene was positive. No signals were detected with the other Y chromosome-specific probes for patient 1. For patient 2, positive signals were obtained for all-Y-specific probes. FISH was negative in the gonadal specimen from patient 1, while rare cells were positive in the sections from patient 2. Turner syndrome and mixed gonadal dysgenesis may represent different points on a continuum of disorders of sexual differentiation. Although the risk for gonadal tumors is considered to be low in patients with Turner syndrome, prospective evaluation is critical to ascertain: The frequency of somatic cell mosaicism for cell lines carrying Y chromosomal material, and how the presence of Y chromosomal material in patients with Turner syndrome affects the propensity for virilization and gonadal neoplasms.

Characterization of rearranged Y chromosomes in human testicular tumor cell lines

Cytogenetic analysis of four cell lines established from two different human testicular tumors revealed rearranged or missing Y chromosomes. Southern blot analysis and in situ hybridization with different Y-derived human DNA sequences revealed the existence of Y chromosomal material even in a line without a cytogenetically visible Y chromosome and clarified the composition of Y marker chromosomes.

A sex cord stromal tumour in a woman with XO/XX/XXX-mosaicism

We describe a postmenopausal woman with 45,XO/46,XX/47,XXX mosaicism who presented with a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour and a past history of habitual abortion. The cytogenetic finding is discussed in relation to the etiology of the tumour and of the recurrent abortions.

Abnormal sexual differentiation and neoplasia

The prevalence of neoplasia is increased in individuals with certain disorders of sexual differentiation. Etiology and frequency of neoplasia vary with the particular disorder. In uncomplicated cryptorchidism, the testis is at least 10 times more likely to undergo neoplastic transformation than a normal scrotal testis. Neoplasia probably is a function of both testicular location (intraabdominal) and underlying dysgenetic structure. If cryptorchidism is unilateral, and if orchiopexy has not been performed prior to age 6-10 years, orchiectomy should be encouraged. In those forms of gonadal dysgenesis not associated with a Y chromosome (e.g., 45,X; 45,X/46,XX; 46,XX) there is no definite increase in neoplasia, suggesting that elevated gonadotropin levels per se are not carcinogenic. Gonadal tumors are found in at least 30% of individuals with XY gonadal dysgenesis and are particularly frequent (55%) in H-Y antigen-positive patients. These tumors are almost always gonadoblastomas or dysgerminomas. Similar tumors are found in 15%-20% of 45,X/46,XY individuals. In either situation the neoplastic transformation could be a) secondary to the existence of XY gonadal tissue in an inhospitable environment, or b) integrally related to that process--genetic or cytogenetic--producing the dysgenetic gonads. The risk of neoplasia is sufficiently high that most of these patients should be offered early gonadal extirpation. The prevalence of gonadal tumors is not increased in Klinefelter's syndrome, further indicating that gonadotropins are not carcinogenic per se. However, Klinefelter patients are 20 times more likely to develop a carcinoma of the breast than are 46,XY males. Extragonadal germ cell tumors also are more common. In female pseudohermaphrodites there is probably no increased risk of neoplasia, whereas, in true hermaphrodites neoplasia is unusual but does occur. Neoplasia occurs in patients with complete testicular feminization (complete androgen insensitivity) but rarely in those with incomplete testicular feminization/Reifenstein's syndrome, 5 alpha-reductase deficiency, anorchia, agonadia, or testosterone biosynthetic defects. In complete testicular feminization the risk of malignant tumors is small prior to age 25. After age 25, it is about 2%-5%. Orchiectomy is recommended after pubertal feminization.

Invasive dysgerminoma in a girl with 45,X/46,X; mar mosaicism

We report a 16-year-old girl with features of Turner's syndrome from whom an invasive dysgerminoma was removed. Cytotoxic drugs were given for the next 12 months. Mosaicism of two karyotypes (45,X/46,X; mar) was found in various tissues. The literature is reviewed with special regard to cytogenetic findings and prognosis of malignant growth and differentiation of dysgenetic gonads.

The Mondini defect in Turner's syndrome. A temporal bone report

The histopathology of the right temporal bone of a 47 year old deaf woman with Turner's Syndrome (gonadal dysgenesis) is described. The appearances are of the Mondini deformity, the cochlea consisting of a single basal turn with a bulbous apical dilatation. The organ of Corti was absent. The remainder of the bony labyrinth save for the cochlear aqueduct was normal. The patient's death was due to a cerebral astrocytoma. Previous reports concerning the co-existence of gonadal dysgenesis, congenital deafness and non-gonadal neoplasia are discussed.

[Gonadoblastoma and overgrowing dysgerminoma in Turner mosaicism [45, XO/46, Xi (Xq)] (author's transl)]

It is well established that the Y-chromosome is associated with germ cell tumor development. There is a considerable tumour risk in XY- and XY/XO-gonadal dysgenesis. In the absence of Y-chromosome germ cell tumours are extremely rare. The history of a patient with 45 XO/46 Xi (Xq)-karyotype is presented, who had a gonadoblastoma with overgrowing dysgerminoma. According to basal body temperature recordings, this patient ovulated up to the age of 22 years. After this cyclical ovarian function was exhausted; histologically no primordial follicles could be detected. Gonadotropin as well as prolactin binding sites in the tumours could not be demonstrated, suggesting hormone independency and complete malignant transformation of the tumor. In general the clinician should be aware of a possible germ cell tumour development in the absence of a Y-chromosome. However as far as the clinical management of patients with dysgenetic gonads is concerned, prophylactic gonadectomy is only indicated in the presence of a Y-chromosome.