Histological Findings in Cryptorchidism

Abstract

Cryptorchidism is an anomaly in the migration of the testis. Although frequent (1% of the population), the causes are still not fully clear. The associated histological lesions are constant and are worse the longer the testis remains in an anomalous position and the higher this position. Alterations in the maturation of the germinal cells appear very early at about the 7th month of life, gradually becoming more severe until there is complete atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in post-puberty. With histological lesions in the cryptorchid testis there is a risk of seminomatous cancer developing in the undescended testis and of a mixed or non-seminomatous type in the descended testis. Orchiopexy does not reduce the risk of cancer in the cryptorchid testis, but it does eliminate the hyperthermic state in the gonad and allows a simpler, more reliable clinical and biopsy assessment of the testis after surgery.