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Related Experiment Videos

Ectopic prolactin secretion from a gonadoblastoma.

W H Hoffman1, R R Gala, K Kovacs

  • 1Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3770.

Cancer
|December 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

A rare gonadoblastoma in a child caused pseudoprecocious puberty by producing prolactin. This tumor, containing Sertoli-like cells, secreted measurable prolactin, confirming ectopic hormone production by neoplastic tissue.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Precocious puberty can stem from various endocrine disorders.
  • Gonadoblastomas are rare tumors typically affecting individuals with gonadal dysgenesis.
  • Ectopic hormone production by tumors is a known phenomenon but less common with prolactin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty in a young girl.
  • To determine if the gonadoblastoma was responsible for hormone secretion.
  • To identify the specific hormone produced by the tumor and its cellular origin.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case presentation of a 6.5-year-old girl with precocious puberty.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis of the gonadoblastoma tissue.

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  • Measurement of prolactin levels in tumor vein and peripheral vein blood samples.

    • Main Results:

    • The patient presented with isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty.
    • The gonadoblastoma was found to produce and secrete both immunoassayable and bioassayable prolactin.
    • Prolactin levels were significantly higher in the tumor vein compared to the peripheral vein, indicating a prolactin gradient.
    • Sertoli-like cells within the tumor were identified as the source of prolactin.
    • Growth hormone and growth hormone-releasing hormone were not detected in the tumor.

    Conclusions:

    • This case confirms the ectopic production of prolactin by neoplastic tissue, specifically a gonadoblastoma.
    • Sertoli-like cells can be a source of ectopic prolactin secretion.
    • The findings highlight the importance of considering ectopic hormone production in the differential diagnosis of precocious puberty.