The purpose of this study was to evaluate monorchid patients’ long-term hormone levels and sexual function.

Materials and Methods

Between September and December 2005, 20 patients were reassessed, having undergone orchiectomy for testicular tumors at the Policlinico and at the National Tumor Institute in Milan between 1986 and 1996. Four patients had seminoma, three of them underwent radiotherapy; 15 patients with embryonal carcinoma subsequently underwent retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, and one of them underwent chemotherapy; one patient had a Leydig cell tumour.

The patients’ case histories were analysed; they underwent urological examination, endocrine test, scrotal ultrasound, and blood samples were taken for testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, total cholesterol, triglyceride, beta-HCG, alpha-FP and LDH assays. Body mass index was calculated. Patients were also asked to fill in the IIEF questionnaire.

Results

Patients’ mean age was 30.7 years at the time of orchiectomy, and 44.7 at the time of endocrine/sexology follow up.

Case histories showed that 2 patients suffered from arterial hypertension, for which they were receiving treatment, 2 patients were obese, none of the patients suffered from endocrine disorders. Upon ultrasound evaluation, the remaining testicle mean volume was 22.04 mL. All patients presented testosterone levels at the lower limits of the normal range (mean value 3.3 ng/ml). In 5 patients values were below the lower limit, indicating marked hypogonadism. Only one patient suffered from moderate erectile dysfunction.

Conclusions

Twenty-five per cent of patients showed low testosterone levels. In view of the long life expectancy of patients suffering from testicular tumors, it is fundamental to consider the long-term problems that a mutilation such as orchiectomy can involve. Patients undergoing orchidectomy in general should be considered to be at higher risk of andropause.