If you were born with one or both testicles undescended (cryptorchidism), having surgery to bring them down into the scrotum will not affect your risk of getting testicular cancer, but it will make the early detection easier.
Remember that men with cryptorchidism have a higher than normal risk of developing testicular cancer in their normal testicles, too. Regular self-examination and a program of regular check-ups by your physician will help insure that, if a tumor does develop, it is detected at its earliest and most curable stages.
If your son has an undescended testicle, have it checked right away and ask your physician about an orchiopexy (fixing it in the scrotum) or an orchiectomy (removal of the testicle).
The sooner he has this surgery, the better.
References:
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center website. Available at: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/. Accessed January 31, 2006.
Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
