[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [General pathology](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/) › [Lower urinary tract and male genital system](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/areas/urinary-male/) › Non-germ cell testicular tumours

# Non-germ cell testicular tumours

- Lesion

A small share of testicular tumours come from stromal cells or lymphocytes; they make hormones or affect older men.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

## Key points

- Leydig cell tumour: golden-brown nodule; polygonal cells with pink cytoplasm and Reinke crystals; inhibin and calretinin positive.
- Leydig tumours: precocious puberty in children, gynecomastia and reduced libido in adults; a minority are malignant.
- Sertoli cell tumour: tubules of Sertoli-like cells; large-cell calcifying form in Carney complex and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
- Gonadoblastoma: dysgenetic gonads with Y chromosome material (for example 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis).
- Lymphoma: diffuse large B-cell type in older men; frequent bilateral and CNS involvement.

## What it is

Sex cord–stromal tumours are a minority of testicular tumours. Leydig cell tumours can secrete androgens or estrogens, causing precocious puberty in boys and gynecomastia in men; most are benign. Sertoli cell tumours are usually hormonally silent and benign. Gonadoblastoma, a mix of germ cells and sex cord cells, arises in dysgenetic gonads of people with a Y chromosome and can give rise to germinoma. Lymphoma, mostly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, is the commonest testicular tumour of men over 60 and is often bilateral.

## Structure

- Leydig: homogeneous, well-circumscribed brown-yellow nodule.
- Sertoli: grey-white or yellow; cells forming cords and tubules.
- Lymphoma: fleshy, cream-coloured, replacing the testis, with tubules surrounded by sheets of lymphoma cells.

## Non-germ cell testicular tumours

| Tumour | Who | Feature | Behaviour |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Leydig cell tumour | Children and adults | Hormones: androgens or estrogens; Reinke crystals | Mostly benign |
| Sertoli cell tumour | Adults; syndromes | Tubular pattern, usually silent | Mostly benign |
| Gonadoblastoma | Dysgenetic gonads with Y material | Germ cells plus sex cord cells, calcifications | Can give rise to germinoma |
| [Testicular lymphoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/) | Men over 60 | Diffuse large B-cell, often bilateral | Aggressive |

## Clinical notes

- A testicular mass in a man over 60 is more likely lymphoma than germ cell tumour.
- Gynecomastia in a young man with a testicular mass suggests a Leydig cell tumour or a choriocarcinoma component.

## Memory aid

Leydig makes hormones, Sertoli keeps quiet, the old man's testis grows lymphoma.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which crystals are characteristic of Leydig cells?

Reinke crystals, rod-shaped eosinophilic inclusions.

## What is the commonest testicular tumour in men over 60?

Lymphoma, usually diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

## In which patients does gonadoblastoma arise?

In dysgenetic gonads of people with Y chromosome material.

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## Elsewhere in DurgiPedia

- [Testis: seminiferous tubules, Sertoli and Leydig cells, spermatogenesis](https://durgical.com/en/histology/testis-seminiferous-tubules-sertoli-and-leydig-cells-spermatogenesis/)

## Connections

## Related 3

- [Testicular germ cell tumours: overview](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/testicular-germ-cell-tumours-overview/)
- [Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/diffuse-large-b-cell-lymphoma/)
- [Cryptorchidism, testicular atrophy and reduced fertility](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/cryptorchidism-testicular-atrophy-and-reduced-fertility/)

## Related conditions 4

- [Testicular cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/testicular-cancer/)
- [Gynaecomastia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gynaecomastia/)
- [Androgen insensitivity syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/androgen-insensitivity-syndrome/)
- [Non-Hodgkin lymphoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/)

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Educational content on the mechanisms of disease; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Testicular Cancer](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563159/) (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/non-germ-cell-testicular-tumours/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/non-germ-cell-testicular-tumours/