Leydig Cell Tumour
Pronunciation: LY-dig
A sex cord–stromal tumour arising from testicular Leydig cells in children, often presenting with isosexual precocious puberty due to autonomous androgen production.
Full Definition
Leydig cell tumours are the most common sex cord–stromal tumours of the paediatric testis. In prepubertal boys, excess testosterone secretion by the tumour produces isosexual precocious pseudopuberty—advanced bone age, phallic enlargement, and pubic hair—without activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary axis. Macroscopically the tumour is well-circumscribed and golden-yellow; histologically, the cells have abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and may contain Reinke crystalloids, which are pathognomonic. The vast majority are benign in children. Editors should distinguish 'isosexual precocious pseudopuberty' (peripheral/gonadotropin-independent) from 'central precocious puberty' when editing clinical context sections.
Usage
Usage note: Reinke crystalloids, if present, should be noted in the pathology report as they are pathognomonic; however, their absence does not exclude the diagnosis.
In Context
- "Histological examination revealed a Leydig cell tumour with characteristic Reinke crystalloids and no malignant features." — Paediatric urology pathology report
- "The editor inserted a clarifying note that the precocious puberty described was pseudopuberty, not central gonadotropin-dependent puberty." — Editorial query