Surgical treatment of male diseases for patients - Illustration photo
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), 3-5 out of 100 full-term newborns have cryptorchidism, and this number increases to 30% in premature babies. If not detected and treated promptly, cryptorchidism can lead to serious consequences such as infertility, cancer, and even long-term psychological effects.
According to Dr. Tran Quoc Khanh - Department of Urology, Bach Mai Hospital, cryptorchidism occurs when the testicle does not move down to the scrotum, but is "stuck" on the way down such as in the inguinal canal, abdomen or near the inguinal opening.
What signs should parents pay attention to?
Dr. Khanh emphasized that early detection of cryptorchidism depends largely on parental observation. Right from birth, parents can recognize abnormalities through two main factors: the shape of the scrotum and the child's reaction.
When changing diapers or bathing a baby, if the scrotum has only one testicle, the scrotal skin is underdeveloped or the testicles cannot be felt on both sides, parents should immediately think of cryptorchidism. For older children, signs such as groin pain, unexplained abdominal pain or a small mass felt in the groin are also "warning bells".
"Do not subjectively think that the testicles will descend on their own when the child grows up. After 6 months of age, if the condition does not improve, parents should take the child to the urology - pediatrics or andrology department for examination, diagnosis and treatment," Dr. Khanh recommends.
Unforeseeable consequences of late treatment
Many parents think that undescended testicles are just a minor problem, but in reality, if the "golden time" for treatment is missed, children may face 5 serious risks.
First : Infertility - The top concern. The testicles need a cool environment in the scrotum (about 34°C) to produce sperm. When located in the abdomen or inguinal canal, where the temperature is 2-3°C higher, the spermatogenesis process will be inhibited, leading to testicular tissue atrophy and reduced sperm quality.
Second : Testicular cancer - a haunting risk. According to research published in The Lancet , people with cryptorchidism have a 5-10 times higher risk of germ cell cancer than normal people. The reason is that ectopic testicular cells easily mutate under the influence of temperature and the surrounding environment.
Third : Testicular torsion - emergency treatment. The testicle is not fixed in the scrotum and can easily rotate around its axis, causing blood vessel obstruction. If not operated on within 6-8 hours, the testicle may become necrotic and must be removed.
Fourth: Trauma - a constant risk. When the testicles are located in the inguinal canal, they are easily impacted when children exercise vigorously, play sports or fall. Repeated injury can cause inflammation, bleeding, and even loss of testicular function.
Fifth: Psychological burden makes children feel inferior. During puberty, boys often compare their bodies with their friends. An "empty" or shrunken scrotum can make children feel inferior, afraid to communicate, affecting their overall development.
Early treatment, prevent complications
According to Dr. Khanh, 6-18 months of age is the "golden time" to intervene in cryptorchidism. Before 6 months, about 30% of cases of testicles can descend into the scrotum by themselves thanks to the child's natural development. However, after this milestone, if the testicles are still "hiding" in the abdomen, surgery is the optimal solution.
Currently, Orchiopexy is considered the gold standard. The doctor will make a small incision in the groin or abdomen (depending on the location of the hidden testicle), bring the testicle down into the scrotum and fix it firmly.
"This method has a success rate of over 95% if performed before 1 year of age. Children recover quickly, with little pain and little scarring," said Dr. Khanh.
In addition to surgery, some cases are indicated for endocrine treatment with hCG hormone. However, this method is rarely applied, due to low effectiveness and potential side effects such as early puberty or abnormal increase in penis size.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-tinh-hoan-co-the-gay-vo-sinh-ung-thu-bac-si-chi-ro-dau-hieu-nhan-biet-20250611092150758.htm
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