Oncological and endocrinological outcomes for children and adolescents with testicular and ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. Results of the TGM13 National Registry

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Apr;71(4):e30864. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30864. Epub 2024 Jan 23.

Abstract

Rationale: Sex cord-stromal tumors (SCST) are hormonally active and rare. The aim was to describe their endocrinological presentation and outcomes.

Method: Patients (< 19 years) registered in the TGM13 registry between 2014 and 2021 for SCST were selected.

Results: Sixty-three ovarian SCST (juvenile granulosa tumor (JGT) n = 34, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) n = 17, other SCST n = 12) were included. Median age was 13.1 years (0.4-17.4). Germline DICER1 pathogenic variant was present in 9/17 SLCT. Sixty-one were FIGO stage I (IC n = 14). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered for 15. Seven had recurrence (FIGO IA n = 3, IX n = 2, III n = 2), leading to one death. With a median follow-up of 42 months (2.5-92), the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 89% (95% CI 76%-95%). Median age was 6.4 years (0.1-12.9) among the 15 testicular SCST (Leydig cell tumor n = 6, JGT n = 5, Sertoli cell tumor n = 3, mixed SCST n = 1). Tumor-nodes-metastases (TNM) stage was pSI in 14. Eight underwent a tumorectomy, 7 an orchiectomy. None experienced recurrence. Endocrinological data were reviewed for 41 patients (18 prepubescent). Endocrine symptoms were present at diagnosis in 29/34 females and 2/7 males (gynecomastia). After a median follow-up of 11 months, 15 patients had persistent endocrine abnormalities: gynecomastia/breast growth (2 males, 1 prepubescent female), precocious/advanced puberty (4 prepubescent females), and hirsutism/menstruation disorders/voice hoarseness/hot flashes (8 pubescent females). The mean height at the last follow-up was within normal ranges (+0.3 standard deviation).

Conclusions: SCSTs have a favorable prognosis. Tumorectomy appears safe with testicular primary. Endocrinological disorders, common at diagnosis, may persist warranting endocrinological follow-up.

Keywords: Adolescents; children; endocrine disorders; height change; puberty; sex cord-stromal tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Female
  • Gynecomastia*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Registries
  • Ribonuclease III
  • Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor*
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors* / metabolism
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors* / pathology

Substances

  • DICER1 protein, human
  • Ribonuclease III
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases

Supplementary concepts

  • Androblastoma of ovary