$Unique_ID{BRK00189}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Concern About a Singular Testicle}
$Subject{testicle fertility undescended Genitourinary System Singular testis
testicles intrauterine gonads testicular cryptorchidism scrotal sperm Torsion
spermatic cord tunica vaginal sac gonadal scrotum infertility infertile
fertile sterile sterility}
$Volume{J-22}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System*0006001.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Concern About a Singular Testicle


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QUESTION:  My son has but one testicle.  Should we be concerned?

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ANSWER:  Lack of one testicle does not necessarily pose a serious cause for
concern, though early diagnosis is important since fertility problems and
cancer risks can develop in some cases.  Actually, the absence of a testicle
is more common than one would expect--occurring once among every 5000 males.
The condition can result from a failure of the testis to develop properly from
the primary fetal cell mass that would normally produce this organ.  It can
also occur when the blood supply to the testis meets with interference during
intrauterine life or if a viral infection involving the gonads develops.  In
most cases, reproductive and hormonal function remain normal with the opposite
testis compensating for the loss by becoming slightly larger than normal.
     However, if the remaining testis is damaged testicular function can be
endangered, and for this reason the nature and timing of the testicular loss
is important to determine.  If a condition called cryptorchidism exists (when
the testicle remains within the abdominal cavity instead of descending into
the scrotal sac as it should), there can be adverse consequences, and the
earlier it's treated, the better the chance of preventing complications.  This
position, inside the body, places the testicle in an environment with
temperatures that are higher than normal in the scrotum and affects its
ability to produce normal, fertile sperm.  Torsion is another danger,
involving the potential twisting of the spermatic cord or the twisting of the
testis within the tunica vaginal sac.  This causes blockage in the vessels
that nourish the organ, and depending on the number of twists and the duration
of the obstruction, the testis can become a dead, structureless mass.  To make
matters worse, torsion can have a bilateral effect, forcing the other testis
to suffer the same fate.  Because of this danger, early detection and removal
of the affected organ is often necessary.
     The risk of germ-cell tumors is 20-40 times greater for patients with
cryptorchidism due to the abdominal location of the undescended testis.
Treating the malignancy will almost certainly damage fertility, but it has
been clinically proven that children usually sustain less gonadal damage than
adults given the same cancer therapies.
     Though the risk I've described here must seem frightening, I do not
intend to alarm you.  However, knowledge of the possible risks will encourage
you to seek the medical advice and care that is necessary and prevent the more
serious consequences and complications of this condition.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.