Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of a poorly differentiated pediatric age Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor

Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCT) are rare in young women. They are divided into six categories based on the degree of differentiation and the presence of heterologous elements. Less than 15% of these tumors are poorly differentiated. A 14-year-old obese African-American girl presented with amenorrhea, progressive abdominal pain, and increasing abdominal girth. Pelvic CT revealed a 10 x 9 x 9 cm right adnexal mass which was resected successfully. The gross appearance was dark tan and red with central hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopically, this was poorly differentiated with compact aggregates of moderate size oval to elongated cells separated by zones of edematous stroma containing scattered spindle shape cells. Areas of ill-formed tubules and primitive cords were present. Clusters of Leydig cells were observed. The oval and spindle cells showed multiple mitoses and were diffusely positive for inhibin and patchy but strong positivity for calretinin. Both preoperative and postoperative studies revealed no metastases. Serum alpha-fetal protein (AFP), androgen, and dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were elevated.