Age at Surgery for Undescended Testis and Risk of Testicular Cancer

In a study of almost 17,000 men who were surgically treated for undescended testis, with data culled from Swedish national registries, the risk of testicular cancer among men who underwent orchiopexy at 13 years of age or older was twice that among men who had surgery before the age of 13. Surgical treatment for undescended testis at an early age can prevent testicular cancer. The risk of testicular cancer among men who underwent orchiopexy at 13 years of age or older was twice that among men who had surgery before the age of 13. Undescended testis, or cryptorchidism, which occurs in 2 to 5% of boys born at term, is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. 1 Cryptorchidism is associated with impaired fertility and is a risk factor for testicular cancer. Among men who have had undescended testis, the risk of cancer is increased two to eight times, and 5 to 10% of all men with testicular cancer have a history of cryptorchidism. 1 , 2 However, it is unknown whether cryptorchidism and testicular cancer have a common cause, or whether cryptorchidism is in itself a cause of testicular cancer. Testes that are undescended at birth . . .