Merlini E, Seymandi P L, Betta P G, Bussi G
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18-28100 Novara.
Pediatr Med Chir. 2003 Jan-Feb;25(1):63-5.
Testicular tumours are very rare in paediatric age, accounting only for 1% of all paediatric tumours. Testicular tumours can originate either from germ cells (77.4%) or from stromal cells (7.1%) or from other cells. Leydig-cell tumours account for 1% of all testicular tumours and 39% of gonadal stromal tumours and in the prepubertal male are responsible for causing precocious pseudopuberty. In the past, orchiectomy has been considered the treatment of choice, but in consideration of the fact that Leydig Cell tumours in children invariably show a benign behaviour, in recent years some authors have suggested a more conservative approach. In the herein reported case, a decision was made to simply enucleate the tumour leaving the testis. After one year, imaging shows a normal testis with no sign of recurrence.