Oestrogen-secreting adrenocortical adenoma causing gynecomastia in a prepubertal boy

ABSTRACT

An 8-year-old boy with isolated gynaecomastia is described. In addition to elevated serum oestradiol, levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione and testosterone were low with normal cortisol, suggesting pure-oestrogen secreting tumour. An adrenocortical adenoma was surgically removed. The oestradiol level returned to normal with gradual regression of the breast size and normal growth velocity. A brief review of the literature on feminizing adrenocortical tumours in boys is presented