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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIn order for testicles to develop and function normally, they need to be slightly cooler than normal body temperature. The scrotum provides this cooler environment. Until a boy is 3 or 4 years old, the testicles undergo changes that affect how well they function later.
An undescended testicle isn't in a cooler environment. This might increase the risk of complications later in life. These complications include:
- 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've had an undescended testicle have an increased risk of testicular cancer.
- Fertility problems. Low sperm counts, poor sperm quality and impaired fertility are more likely to occur among men who have had an undescended testicle.
Other complications related to the abnormal location of the undescended testicle include:
- Testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord, which contains blood vessels, nerves and the tube that carries semen from the testicle to the penis. 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.
- Trauma. If a testicle is located in the groin, it may be damaged from pressure against the pubic bone.
- Inguinal hernia. An undescended testicle may be associated with an inguinal hernia. If the opening between the abdomen and the inguinal canal is too loose, a portion of the intestines can push into the groin.
- Elder J. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman R, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/102535550-2/0/1608/1246.html?tocnode=54484554&fromURL=1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8_9817. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- Hutson JM, et al. Current management of the undescended testicle. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 2007;16(1):64-70.
- Barthold JS. Undescended testis: Current theories of etiology. Current Opinion in Urology. 2008;18(4):395-400.
- Kelsberg G, et al. Clinical inquiries. When should a child with an undescended testis be referred to a urologist? Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(4):336-337.
- Cooper, CS. Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2008.
- Esposito C, et al. Management of boys with nonpalpable undescended testis. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2008;5(5):252-60.
- Liptak GS. Genital defects. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch265/ch265d.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
