Undescended Testicle: Risk for Testicular CancerTopic OverviewBeing born with an undescended testicle increases the risk for testicular cancer .
Moving the testicle to the scrotum may help reduce the risk of cancer. Most doctors recommend surgery to place undescended testicles in the scrotum. This makes it much easier to find cancer if it does develop. Untreated undescended testicles are usually removed in adult men and teens who have gone through puberty because of the increased risk of cancer. Men who have an undescended testicle should have regular medical checkups (at least once every 2 years) throughout life. These checkups may include a testicular exam. If you have an undescended testicle, talk with your doctor about how often you need to be checked. Some doctors recommend a testicular biopsy during surgery to correct an undescended testicle if the testicle is in the belly or the child has genital defects, such as hypospadias , or a genetic disorder . In this test, a small sample of tissue is taken from the testicles and examined to find out the potential for developing cancer. Related InformationReferences
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ByHealthwise Staff Current as ofMay 5, 2017
Current as of: May 5, 2017 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology Braga LHP, Bagli DJ (2011). Urologic abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. In CD Rudolph et al., eds., Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22nd ed., pp. 1741-1748. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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