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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffA boy with a retractile testicle may be vulnerable to these complications:
- Testicular cancer. Testicular cancer usually begins in the cells in the testicle that produce immature sperm. What causes these cells to develop into cancer is unknown. Men who have had an undescended testicle have a greater risk of testicular cancer.
- Fertility problems. Low sperm counts, poor sperm quality and low fertility rates are more likely among men who have had an undescended testicle.
- Testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord. This painful condition cuts off blood to the testicle. If not treated promptly, it may result in the loss of the testicle. An undescended testicle increases the risk of testicular torsion.
References
- Agarwal PK, et al. Retractile testis — Is it really a normal variant? Journal of Urology. 2006;175:1496.
- La Scala, et al. Retractile testes: an outcome analysis on 150 patients. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2004;39:1014.
- Cooper CS, et al. Urology. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5312459. Accessed March 10, 2010.
- Stec AA, et al. Incidence of testicular ascent in boys with retractile testes. Journal of Urology. 2007;178:1722.
- Anatomic disorders. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/188759382-2/966699837/1481/588.html?printi. Accessed March 11, 2010.
- Pettersson A, et al. Age at surgery for undescended testis and risk of testicular cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:1835.
- Charles JC. The fate of the retractile testicles. Journal of Urology. 2003;171:1237.
- Hack WW. Natural history and long-term testicular growth of acquired undescended testis after spontaneous descent or pubertal orchidopexy. BJU International. In Press. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Sandlow JI, et al. Surgery of the scrotum and seminal vesicles. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/188759382-2/966699837/1445/37.html?printin. Accessed March 11, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 15, 2010.
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