What are the consequences of cryptorchidism in children

The consequences of children suffering from cryptorchidism are serious. Generally, there are several consequences: First, there is a risk of infertility. Cryptorchidism causes damage to the germ cells, and early surgery to fix the testicles in the scrotum reduces the risk of decreased fertility occurring. The earliest postnatal histologic abnormality in cryptorchidism is observed in the first month of life, when mesenchymal cell dysplasia can be observed. Unilateral cryptorchidism after puberty should be removed because of its potential for malignancy or torsion in the future, and the vast majority of the testes are lost to fertility. Secondly, cryptorchidism may lead to malignant changes. Among men who have had cryptorchidism, the incidence of germ cell tumors is 40 times higher than that of normal people. The location of the undescended testis affects the relative risk of testicular tumors, the higher the location, the greater the risk of malignant transformation, half of the intra-abdominal testes will develop malignant transformation, the most common type of testicular tumors caused by testicular spermatogonial tumors. The incidence of carcinoma in situ in patients with cryptorchidism is 1.7%. Third, it can lead to hernia, 90% of the testis will be the patient sheath protrusion is not closed. The sphincter usually closes after the testicle has descended and within the first month of life. Unclosed sphincter is associated with a higher risk of hernia. Fourth, cryptorchidism in children may lead to testicular torsion. Therefore, if cryptorchidism is once diagnosed, early surgical treatment is recommended.