[Stromal tumor of the testis with Leydig cell components. Light and electron microscopy analysis and fluorescence microscopy demonstration of F-actin].

A testicular gonadal stromal tumor with Leydig cells and mesenchymal cells resembling to Sertoli cells is presented. At the ultrastructural level most of the tumor cells could only be classified as endocrine differentiated cells. Because of their uncharacteristic organelles no Sertoli cells could be demonstrated by means of electron microscopy. The labelling of fibrillary actin underlines the cellular heterogeneity and the different cellular functional state of the tumor cells. These findings are interpreted as an evidence of a multidirectional differentiation potential of the gonadal stroma mesenchyme. These observations support the classification of these neoplasia as gonadal stromal tumors particularly in light of the clearly visible differentiation. Problems of evaluating the malignant potential of gonadal stromal tumors are also discussed.