Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Urology (Expert Forum)
Surgery for undescended testicles in a 50 year old man
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Surgery for undescended testicles in a 50 year old man
by charles-Brown, Jan 05, 1999 12:00AM
Is it advisable to surgically remove an undescended esticle in a 50 year old man? I have very good health otherwise. The location of the undescended testicle makes it difficult to examine.
======================================================================
Dear Charles,
There was a paper published in the Urologic literature that stated, after the age of 32, the need to remove an undescended testicle was less than the risk of the operation. I have not been able to examine you but you state that it is difficult to examine the testicle, not impossible. This leads me to believe that the testicle is in what’s called the inguinal canal (groin). The main indication for surgery for you would be for issues of physical or emotional discomfort. If that testicle has been undescended all your life it most likely doesn’t function to make sperm and has never done so.
I would keep an eye on your testicle, and do frequent self examinations. Understand that a testis cancer could occur, but the risks of the operation, at this point in your life, out-weigh the potential benefits. Though I must add that the surgical risks are quite small if the testis is quite near the surface.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Undescended Testis
