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 Gynecologic Cancer, Urologic Cancer

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor

Male reproductive system
Male reproductive system

Definition:

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor is a rare cancer of the ovaries. The cancer cells produce and release a male sex hormone.

Alternative Names:
Arrhenoblastoma
Symptoms:

The Sertoli cells, which are located in the male reproductive glands (the testes), feed sperm cells. The Leydig cells release a male sex hormone called testosterone. In men, some cancers of the testes can start in the Sertoli and Leydig cells.

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor is a cancer that starts in the female ovaries. The cancer cells produce and release a male sex hormone, which may cause the women to develop male physical characteristics (virilization), including facial hair and a deep voice.


Review Date: 4/27/2007
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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