Sex steroid biosynthesis enzymes in ovarian sex-cord stromal tumors.

Previous studies on neoplastic and hyperplastic ovarian lesions using paraffin-embedded material have demonstrated immunolocalization of sex steroid biosynthetic enzymes (SSBEs): P-450 side chain cleavage (P-450 SCC), which converts cholesterol to pregnenolone; 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD), which converts pregnenolone to progesterone; P-450 17 alpha-hydroxylase and lyase (P-450 17A), which convert progesterone to 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione; and P-450 aromatase (P-450 AR), which converts 4-androstene-3,17-dione to estradiol. To investigate the utility of immunohistochemical staining for SSBEs, we studied a series of 45 sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary. P-450 SCC was present in 9 of 11 Sertoli-stromal cell tumors, 3 of 12 granulosa cell tumors, 2 of 7 thecomas, and 1 of 1 stromal luteomas; 3 beta-HSD was present in 5 of 11 Sertoli-stromal cell tumors, 2 of 12 granulosa cell tumors, 2 of 7 thecomas, and 1 of 1 stromal luteoma; P-450 17A was present in 5 of 11 Sertoli-stromal cell tumors, 2 of 12 granulosa cell tumors, 2 of 6 thecomas, and 1 of 1 stromal luteomas; P-450 AR was present in 6 of 11 Sertoli-stromal cell tumors, 2 of 12 granulosa cell tumors, none of 7 thecomas, and 1 of 1 stromal luteoma. SSBEs were not present in 12 fibromas, one sclerosing stromal tumor, and one myxoma. Five of 45 patients with sex cord-stromal tumors showed androgenic effects; 4 of 11 patients with Sertoli-stromal cell tumors and the patient with a stromal luteoma. These five sex cord-stromal tumors contained P-450 SCC, and three of four of the Sertoli-stromal cell tumors contained 3 beta-HSD, P-450 17A, and P-450 AR. Concurrent endometrial histology was available in 25 of 45 sex cord-stromal tumor patients. None of the five sex cord-stromal tumors arising in patients with endometria that showed hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma showed immunoreactivity for SSBEs. Eight patients' endometria were unremarkable, but their sex cord-stromal tumor contained SSBEs. SSBEs were present in areas showing Leydig cell, Sertoli cell, or steroid cell differentiation or luteinized areas; however, the results did not significantly add to the histologic classification of sex-cord stromal tumors. Androgenic hormonal effects could always be explained by synthesis of hormones by SSBEs present in the patient's sex cord-stromal tumor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)