Cryptorchidism and its long-term complications.

Cryptorchidism is the most frequent defect of the male urogenital tract at birth. It represents a risk factor for primitive testiculopathy associated with long-term complications (infertility, testicular neoplasia, and hormonal changes). An only consensus exists: "children with bilateral cryptorchidism who are not treated in early age are certainly set to become infertile". The majority of Authors agrees that the cryptorchid testicle will be in for structural and functional alterations and the rate of infertility is inversely proportional to the age at the time of orchidopexy. Cryptorchidism causes secretory primitive testicular pathology responsible for infertility. It is correlated to a non-specific severe histopathological pattern that can be useful to predict future infertility at the moment of orchidopexy. Also cryptorchidism represents the major risk factor associated with germ cell testicular neoplasia (5-10 times more probably than a normal testicle) due to genetic, hormonal, environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]