Germinal cell tumors of the testis after orchiopexy.

A review of the literature revealed 220 cases of germinal cell tumor of the testis that has occurred after orchiopexy. Of these cases 97 were accurately documented in regard to scrotal placement of the undescended testis and the subsequent tumor. Only 6 cases were reported after orchiopexy in children less than 10 years old. Since the number of patients at risk is unknown the possible protection of early orchiopexy against subsequent malignant degeneration cannot be established. The small number of cases reported after orchiopexy in children less than 10 years old is encouraging. The accumulated reports of germinal cell tumors of the testes after orchiopexy in patients between 10 and 20 years old militate against such a procedure in patients with a unilateral underscended testis.