Vanishing testes: a literature review

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2012 Sep;4(3):116-20. doi: 10.4274/Jcrpe.728.

Abstract

Vanishing testes syndrome is often referred to as testicular regression syndrome (TRS) in the recent medical literature. The most characteristic histological findings are presence of a fibrovascular nodule with associated hemosiderin-laden macrophages and dystrophic calcification. Residual testicular tubules are found in less than 10% of cases, with prevalence being unrelated to age at surgery. Presence of seminiferous tubules and viable germ cells in testicular remnant tissue has been reported in some series. TRS theoretically carries a potential for malignant degeneration in the long term and therefore removal of any remnant is a common practice to eliminate this risk. However, no case series has reported germinal dysplasia or intratubular germ cell neoplasia in any of the specimens taken from these patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / diagnosis
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / epidemiology
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / physiopathology*
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Testis / abnormalities
  • Testis / physiopathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Anorchia