What can be done to prevent the condition?

There are no known ways to prevent this condition.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

This condition increases the risk for cancer of the testicle. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of men who developed this cancer had undescended testicles.

Torsion of the testicle is more common than in normal testicles. This condition is a twisting of the testicle around its blood supply that may cause the blood supply to be cut off. Testicles that have been repaired are much less likely to develop this problem.

Hernias in the groin area develop in most people with this condition.

Fertility, or the ability to father children, is reduced in men with an undescended testicle on one side. It is very poor in men that are affected on both sides.

What are the risks to others?

This condition cannot be passed from one person to another.