OBJECTIVE: Testicular tumours are rare in paediatric patients, accounting for only 1% of tumours in boys. Leydig cell tumours are the most common gonadal stromal tumours. Since these tumours are functionally active, secreting testosterone, they characteristically produce isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty (IPP), the customary therapeutic choice being radical orchiectomy. Nowadays, considering that Leydig cell tumour in boys are invariably benign, some authors suggest a more conservative choice of therapy. METHODS: This article presents the case of a patient with a cytological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of Leydig cell tumour with no clinical symptoms of IPP. The treatment carried out was enucleation of the tumour through a transcrotal access with subsequent follow-up monitoring. RESULTS: After 2 years of follow up the patient remains free of symptoms and shows a degree of sexual development corresponding to his age. CONCLUSIONS: We consider enucleation of the tumour to be a safe and effective therapy as an alternative to radical orchiectomy.
OBJECTIVE:Testicular tumours are rare in paediatric patients, accounting for only 1% of tumours in boys. Leydig cell tumours are the most common gonadal stromal tumours. Since these tumours are functionally active, secreting testosterone, they characteristically produce isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty (IPP), the customary therapeutic choice being radical orchiectomy. Nowadays, considering that Leydig cell tumour in boys are invariably benign, some authors suggest a more conservative choice of therapy. METHODS: This article presents the case of a patient with a cytological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of Leydig cell tumour with no clinical symptoms of IPP. The treatment carried out was enucleation of the tumour through a transcrotal access with subsequent follow-up monitoring. RESULTS: After 2 years of follow up the patient remains free of symptoms and shows a degree of sexual development corresponding to his age. CONCLUSIONS: We consider enucleation of the tumour to be a safe and effective therapy as an alternative to radical orchiectomy.