Gonadal malignancy in patients with differences of sex development

Abstract

Differences of sexual development (DSD) are known to be associated with an elevated risk of malignant and pre-malignant tumors. However, given the rarity of DSD and tumors in patients with DSD, more robust, large scale, prospective literature is required to truly determine the extent of this association, long-term outcomes and the nuances associated with the wide variety of DSD diagnoses. In addition, the spectrum of diagnoses and nomenclature has been ever-changing, limiting assessment of long-term patient outcomes. This review aims to provide an overview of the pathogenesis of DSD conditions, potential malignancies associated with the diagnoses, the available screening for malignancy, and the most recent data on stratification for each DSD diagnosis and association with malignancy.