Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-2-16
pubmed:abstractText
The complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, is associated with abnormal testicular development and an increased risk of germ cell malignancy. Previous histological studies in CAIS have selected patients purely on the basis of clinical diagnosis and were mostly based on small numbers, many of whom were post-pubertal. Here, we present 44 cases of CAIS, each with molecular pathological confirmation of an AR mutation. The median age at gonadectomy was 5.5 years (5.5; IQR 1-13). We have been able, therefore, to investigate testicular development in infancy, childhood and puberty, and estimate the incidence of premalignant change in this series. In addition, we have investigated whether the presence of epididymides and/or vasa deferentia in CAIS, previously shown to be associated with residual activity of mutant ARs, is related to a particular testicular phenotype. Epididymides/vasa deferentia were present in 36% of cases and these patients showed varying degrees of seminiferous tubule maturation at puberty above those without epididymides/vasa deferentia (p = 0.003). There were no other histological differences between these patient groups. In both groups, features of testicular degeneration and dysgenesis were present and germ cell development was delayed, with prolonged expression of the gonocyte markers, placental-like alkaline phosphatase and activator protein-2gamma. Germ cell numbers rapidly declined after the first year of life (R(2) = 0.42). Only two cases of carcinoma in situ were identified in our study and both patients were postpubertal (17 and 53 years). From these results and the literature, we conclude that the risk of premalignant change in germ cells is low before and during puberty. Patients can be advised, therefore, that gonadectomy can be delayed to allow for a natural puberty, with low risk of malignant transformation. Our study only included one patient over 18 years, so we cannot comment on the risk of malignant transformation in later life.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0022-3417
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
208
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
518-27
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Aging, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Child, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Child, Preschool, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Epididymis, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Germ Cells, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Immunohistochemistry, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Infant, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Infant, Newborn, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Male, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Orchiectomy, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Receptors, Androgen, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Risk, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Seminiferous Tubules, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Testicular Neoplasms, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Testis, pubmed-meshheading:16400621-Vas Deferens
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Testicular development in the complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. sehannema@cantab.net
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't