Mature Testicular Teratoma with Positive Estrogen Receptor Beta Expression in a Transgendered Individual on Cross-Sex Hormonal Therapy: A Case Report

LGBT Health. 2015 Mar;2(1):81-3. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2014.0061. Epub 2015 Jan 23.

Abstract

Estrogen exposure has been linked to a risk of testicular germ cell cancers, although predominantly in animal studies. In the human testis, estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) mediates the physiological action of estrogen. We describe a case of a 30-year-old transgender woman (male-to-female [MtF]) with gender dysphoria who developed a mature testicular teratoma with positive estrogen receptor beta expression while receiving cross-sex hormonal therapy with estradiol and progesterone. Although the presence of hormone receptors does not always imply that hormones have played a role in the development of the tumor, a contribution of exposure to exogenous estrogen in this case cannot be ruled out.

Keywords: estrogen; mature; receptors; teratoma; transgender.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Estradiol / therapeutic use
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / immunology*
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / etiology
  • Progesterone / therapeutic use
  • Teratoma / surgery*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / etiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testis / surgery
  • Transgender Persons*

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • Estrogens
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol

Supplementary concepts

  • Teratoma, Testicular
  • Testicular Germ Cell Tumor