Question:

My 2 year old son still has one undescended testicle. His pediatrician went bonkers at 3 mos. when they were both not down and suggested to have immediate surgery.

We did not heed his advice, and now one is down on its own. Most of the books I have read state that this is a fairly normal occurrence among premature babies--and that 99% take care of themselves by age 5.

Reading another source yesterday, I find that an undescended testicle increases risk for testicular cancer in adults.

I would like to know more about risks, etc.

Thank you

Answer:

Statistics are good for the entire population but not for the individual. They can be useful in making some decisions, however.

About 20% of premature boys can have a testis not in the scrotum. This is because testicular descent occurs in the third trimester (late).

By the age one year the incidence of undescended testes is about 1 % . Because of this, and the growing data which would indicate that the testis which is not down may start to change in a way which would reduce potential for sperm production, we usually bring the testis which is undescended by age 1 year down into the scrotum by a surgical procedure.

You probably should consult a pediatric urologist.

Michael Mitchell, MD

University of Washington Medical Center