I Am Asking This Question On Behalf Of A Close

Posted on Wed, 21 Aug 2019

Question: I am asking this question on behalf of a close relative of mine. He is 28 years old, got married six months back and I suspect that he has an erectile dysfunction problem. As an infant, it was diagnosed by a paediatrician that he had undescended testicles and corrective surgery was done when he was 14 months old.. My questions are:
1. Do undescended testicles, even after surgery, cause male sterility and erectile dysfunction?
2. I have read somewhere that persons who have had undescended testicles run the risk of getting testicular cancer later in life Is this true ?
3. For this condition, whom should I consult - XXXXXXX sexologist(?) urologist or endocrinologist?
4. Can you suggest the right specialist that we should consult and also suggest a consultant based in XXXXXXX

I am a XXXXXXX citizen and retired from XXXXXXX Pharmaceuticals as General Manager- Training.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

I am asking this question on behalf of a close relative of mine. He is 28 years old, got married six months back and I suspect that he has an erectile dysfunction problem. As an infant, it was diagnosed by a paediatrician that he had undescended testicles and corrective surgery was done when he was 14 months old.. My questions are:
1. Do undescended testicles, even after surgery, cause male sterility and erectile dysfunction?
2. I have read somewhere that persons who have had undescended testicles run the risk of getting testicular cancer later in life Is this true ?
3. For this condition, whom should I consult - XXXXXXX sexologist(?) urologist or endocrinologist?
4. Can you suggest the right specialist that we should consult and also suggest a consultant based in XXXXXXX

I am a XXXXXXX citizen and retired from XXXXXXX Pharmaceuticals as General Manager- Training.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I descended Testis would not cause Erectile Dysfunctiin

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query
Based on the facts that you have posted your relative who had undescended testis and who was operated in infancy suspected to have Erectile Dysfunction (ED) I would answer your queries point to point
1) Undescended testis per de does not cause ED .

2)Undescended testis if not replaced in Scrotum surgically before the age of 3 years and left as it is has 50% risk of developing cancer of Testis Hence there is no risk of him having cancer. in future.

You need to Consult either XXXXXXX or Urologist for clinical assessment to find out the cause for his ED

Thanks and Regards
DrPatil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Sir, I hope you will not mistake me for referring to websites and asking question. This is due to the pharma background I have and I hope to be pardoned by you. The following passage from Mayo Clinic website worries me:
"Testicular cancer. Testicular cancer usually begins in the cells in the testicle that produce immature sperm. What causes these cells to develop into cancer is unknown. Men who've had an undescended testicle have an increased risk of testicular cancer.

The risk is greater for undescended testicles located in the abdomen than in the groin, and when both testicles are affected. Surgically correcting an undescended testicle might decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of future testicular cancer." The line that worries me is that surgically correcting may decrease but not eliminate the risk of cancer. Can an urologist physically examine and conduct some tests and find out whether everything is OK.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Risk is higher if Testis remains in abnormal position for longer

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up
What you have quoted is true only when Testis remains in abnormal position beyond the age of 4-5 years and chances of cancer are more as the age advances. even thiough patient is operated in adulthood . Since your relative is operated at very proper age (14 months) there is no risk of he developing cancer. I haven’t come across any patient in 45 years of practice who has undergone surgery to replace testicle in normal position ( in Scrotum) at the age of infancy.

Di not read and get anxious by reading articles on internet It will add to your confusion.

You can consult qualified Urologist and get it confirmed by doing Ultrasound Scanning of Scrotum

Thanks and Regards
DrPatil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (34 minutes later)

I know it is not right to get confused by reading websites or googling and yet I am tempted to do it at times. So I am going to ask one more clarification about fertility for one who has undergone surgical correction at a very early age.

"Fertility for males after surgery with a single undescended testicle is nearly normal, but falls to 65 percent in men with two undescended testicles. Surgery might reduce the risk of testicular cancer, but does not eliminate it."

Sir, please clarify this doubt if you don't mind. Also can you suggest an urologist in Chennai?

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Incidence of infertility are as equal as normal indivisual

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up
The incidence of infertility in a person with corrected Undescended testis are as same as person with normally placed testicle

You have to find out Urologist close to your stay in XXXXXXX

Thanks and Regards
DrPatil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng