Virilising Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma: case report and general considerations

Abstract

We present a case of a Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour manifested with progressive hirsutism, frontal alopecia and secondary amenorrhea in a 46-years-old female, evolving for 6 years until presentation. Serum testosterone level was 8.01 ng/ml and gonadotropic hormones were LH 8.57 mIU/ml and FSH 9.52 mIU/ml. Computed tomography revealed a dense, solid, heterogeneous mass of 3.5/2.8 cm in the right ovary. Bilateral ovariectomy and hysterectomy were performed. The histopathological report mentioned a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with intermediate grade of differentiation. Immunohistochemical stains showed positive reaction for α-inhibin, calretin and for progesterone receptor. The testosterone levels dramatically decreased after surgery (0.31 ng/ml) while levels of gonadotropes increased: LH 40.98 mIU/ml and FSH 50.41 mIU/ml. At 6 months follow-up the diagnosis of a left lobe thyroid nodule leaded to fine needle aspiration biopsy with suspicion of papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy established the diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma (2.17/2.18 cm) T2N0M0, stage II, followed by radioiodine administration. This is to our knowledge the first presented case of ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma. This could suggest a common genetic background.

Keywords:

• Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour
• amenorrhea
• hirsutism
• testosterone
• thyroid carcinoma

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.