Purpose of Review
Testicular stromal tumors are a rare and unique entity in pediatric and adolescent testicular tumors. Unlike germ cell tumors, testicular stromal tumor (TST) pathology is often unknown until after surgical resection. Thus, an understanding of the origins and associations of testicular stromal tumors is critical to appropriate management. This review aims to describe the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of pediatric testicular stromal tumors with an emphasis on Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, juvenile granulosa cell tumors, and gonadoblastomas.
Recent Findings
While large scale clinical trial and outcomes data for TSTs are lacking compared to the well-studied germ cell tumors, fundamental work in pathology has clarified the various subtypes of TSTs and defined endocrinologic and genetic associations. In addition, the overall benign nature of most TSTs has allowed testicular sparing surgery to be a safe and effective treatment approach.
Summary
Though rare, pediatric TSTs require thoughtful diagnostic and treatment approaches tailored to their unique presentations. Understanding the origin and genetic association of TSTs helps define post-treatment screening protocols, which ultimately improve outcomes. Multidisciplinary care remains essential for optimal patient management.
