Ectopic testes, which is rarer than true cryptorchidism, is a congenital condition in which the testes fail to descend into the scrotum. Instead, the testicle may be found subcutaneously near the prepuce or anywhere along the leg.It is a separate classification from inguinal or abdominal cryptorchidism and is usually diagnosed at surgery or necropsy. Anectopia is when an organ, or a part of an organ, is in the wrong place within the body. An ectopic testis is where one of the testicles has not descended into the scrotum as normal, but instead has taken a different path and has descended through the abdominal cavity until it has settled in the pre-pubic area in the inguinal canal, instead of in the scrotum.
The difference between ectopic testes and cryptorchidism (undescended testicle) , is that in the latter case the testicle has not descended completely, so it is not in its normal position within the scrotum either.
An undescended testicle is typically detected when your baby is examined shortly after birth. If your son has an undescended testicle, ask the doctor how often your son will need to be examined. If the testicle hasn’t moved into the scrotum by the time your son is 4 months old, the problem probably won’t correct itself.
Treating an undescended testicle when your son is still a baby might lower the risk of complications later in life, such as infertility and testicular cancer.
Older boys from infants to pre-adolescent boys who have normally descended testicles at birth might appear to be “missing” a testicle later. This condition might indicate:
Ectopic testes do not show related symptoms, but the absence of one or both testicles is immediately noticeable in the baby, due to their empty scrotal sac. When parents detect any irregularity of this type they can go to a paediatrician’s practice to get a diagnosis.
Ectopic testes are usually corrected in the first year of life, but if this does not happen, it will require surgical treatment.
Factors that might increase the risk of an undescended testicle in a newborn include:
In order for testicles to develop and function normally, they need to be slightly cooler than normal body temperature. The scrotum provides this cooler environment. Complications of a testicle not being located where it is supposed to be include:
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.
