Pregnancy SmartSiteTM

Skip Navigation Schedule An Appointment

Normal Pregnancy

Staying Healthy

Alcohol and pregnancy Managing your weight gain in pregnancy Steps to take before you get pregnant When you need to gain more weight during pregnancy

What to expect during pregnancy

Aches and pains during pregnancy Choosing the right practitioner Common symptoms during pregnancy Hyperemesis Gravidarum Morning sickness Pregnancy and travel Pregnancy and work Problems sleeping during pregnancy Skin and hair changes during pregnancy Teenage pregnancy

Preparing to go home with your baby

Cribs and crib safety Eat right during pregnancy Preparing your other children

Visits and Tests

Amniocentesis Chorionic villus sampling Genetic counseling before pregnancy Glucose tolerance test-pregnancy Monitoring your baby before labor Nuchal translucency Prenatal care in your first trimester Prenatal care in your second trimester Prenatal care in your third trimester

Leydig cell testicular tumor

Definition

A Leydig cell tumor is a of the testicle. It develops from Leydig cells. These are the cells in the testicles that release the male hormone, .

Causes

The cause of this tumor is unknown. There are no known risk factors for this tumor. Unlike germ cell tumors of the testicles, this tumor does not seem to be linked to .

Leydig cell tumors make up a very small number of all testicular tumors. They are most often found in men between 30 and 60 years of age. This tumor is not common in children before puberty, but it may cause .

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms.

When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Discomfort or pain in the testicle
  • Enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
  • Excess growth of breast tissue () -- however, this can occur normally in adolescent boys who do not have testicular cancer
  • Heaviness in the scrotum
  • Lump or swelling in either testicle
  • Pain in the lower abdomen or back
  • Not able to father children (infertility)

    • Symptoms in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, abdomen, pelvis, back, or brain may also occur if the cancer has spread.

    Exams and Tests

    A physical examination typically reveals a firm lump in one of the testicles. When the health care provider holds a flashlight up to the scrotum, the light does not pass through the lump. This test is called .

    Other tests include:

  • Blood tests for tumor markers: (AFP), (beta HCG), and (LDH)
  • and pelvis to check if the cancer has spread
  • of the scrotum

    • An examination of the tissue is usually done after the entire testicle is surgically removed (orchiectomy).

    Treatment

    Treatment of a Leydig cell tumor depends on its stage.

  • Stage I cancer has not spread beyond the testicle.
  • Stage II cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen.
  • Stage III cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes (possibly as far as the liver, lungs, or brain).

    • Surgery is done to remove the testicle (orchiectomy). Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed (lymphadenectomy).

    may be used to treat this tumor. As Leydig cell tumors are rare, these treatments have not been studied as much as treatments for other, more common testicular cancers.

    Support Groups

    Joining a where members share common experiences and problems can often help ease the stress of illness.

    Outlook (Prognosis)

    Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers. Outlook is worse if the tumor is not found early.

    Possible Complications

    The cancer may spread to other parts of the body. The most common sites include the:

  • Abdomen
  • Lungs
  • Retroperitoneal area (the area near the kidneys behind the other organs in the belly area)
  • Spine

    • Complications of surgery can include:

  • Bleeding and infection
  • (if both testicles are removed)

    • If you are of childbearing age, ask your provider about methods to save your sperm for use at a later date.

    When to Contact a Medical Professional

    Call your provider if you have symptoms of testicular cancer.

    Prevention

    Performing each month may help detect testicular cancer at an early stage, before it spreads. Finding testicular cancer early is important for successful treatment and survival.

    References

    Friedlander TW, Small E. Testicular cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 83.

    National Cancer Institute website. Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ) – health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/hp/testicular-treatment-pdq. Updated February 11, 2022. Accessed June 24, 2022.

    Stephenson AJ, Gilligan TD. Neoplasms of the testis. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 76.

    Schedule An Appointment

    Contact Atlanta Obsetrics and Gynaecology at The Womens Center Millennium Hospital - 404-ATL-BABY

    GO

    Review Date: 4/29/2022

    Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.