Gynecomastia disclosing diagnosis of Leydig cell tumour in a man with thalassemia, secondary hypogonadism and testis microlithiasis

Acta Biomed. 2009;80(3):286-8.

Abstract

Aim of this paper is to report about a 35-year old man suffering from beta-Thalassemia major and longstanding untreated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, who was referred because of a recent onset and painful bilateral gynecomastia, with no palpable testicular masses. Due to the finding of a solid mass at left testis ultrasonography, monolateral testicular exeresis was performed and histology revealed a Leydig Cell Tumour and testicular microlithiasis. Post-surgical restoration of testosterone/estradiol ratio under testosterone therapy was followed by a very rapid reduction of gynecomastia. Our report confirms the usefulness of scrotal ultrasonography for finding an occult testicular tumour in a patient with painful and recent onset bilateral gynecomastia and underlines: a) the important role of testosterone/estradiol ratio in the pathophysiology of gynecomastia; b) the questionable significance of testicular microlithiasis as marker of testis tumours; c) the possible association between beta-Thalassemia and tumoral pathologies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Gynecomastia / epidemiology
  • Gynecomastia / etiology*
  • Gynecomastia / physiopathology
  • Heptanoates / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / drug therapy
  • Hypogonadism / epidemiology
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / complications
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / diagnosis*
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / diagnostic imaging
  • Lithiasis / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Testicular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / complications
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography
  • beta-Thalassemia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Heptanoates