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Prepubertal Cryptorchidism

Meaning

Prepubertal cryptorchidism is a clinical condition defined by the failure of one or both testes to descend completely into the scrotum before the onset of puberty. The term is crucial in pediatric endocrinology because the undescended testes are exposed to the higher core body temperature, which can irreversibly damage the germ cells and Leydig cells, leading to a significantly increased risk of infertility and testicular cancer later in life. Early diagnosis and surgical correction are paramount to preserving potential testicular function and mitigating long-term oncological risk.