Testicular microlithiasis

Testicular microlithiasis

Classification and external resources
OMIM	610441

Ultrasound image of testicular microlithiasis

Testicular microlithiasis is an unusual condition diagnosed on testicular ultrasound. It is found in between 1.5 to 5% of normal males, and may be found in up to 20% of individuals with subfertility. It is an asymptomatic, non-progressive disease. The cause is unknown, but this condition has been associated with testicular cancer in a small group of individuals, cryptorchidism, mumps, infertility and intraepithelial germ cell neoplasia. Classic testicular microlithiasis is defined as five or more echogenic foci per view in either or both testes, and limited testicular microlithiasis defined as one or more echogenic foci that do not satisfy the criteria for classic testicular microlithiasis. In 80% of cases, both testicles are affected.

Testicular microlithiasis is not associated with risk of testicular cancer in asymptomatic individuals with no risk factors for testicular germ cell tumor. However, a large meta-analysis has shown that in individuals with associated risk factors for testicular germ cell tumor, the increase in risk of concurrent diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumor, or testicular carcinoma-in-situ upon biopsy is approximately eight to ten-fold.^[1]

There is extensive controversy over whether testicular microlithiasis in individuals with testicular germ cell tumor, or risk factors for such, should undergo testicular biopsy to exclude the presence of testicular carcinoma-in-situ, also known as intratubular germ cell neoplasia of unclassified type. Additionally, whether the presence of testicular microlithiasis should influence decision for adjuvant chemotherapy or surveillance in individuals with testicular germ cell tumor remains unclear. A recent review in Nature Reviews Urology has comprehensively evaluated these topics.^[2]

There is no cure or treatment for testicular microlithiasis, however, patients may be monitored via ultrasound to make sure that other conditions do not develop. Emphasis on testicular examination is the recommended follow up for asymptomatic men incidentally identified with testicular microlithiasis. For men with risk factors for testicular germ cell tumor such as subfertility however, individualized discussion with their urologists is necessary.

References

↑ Tan, IB; Ang, KK; Ching, BC; Mohan, C; Toh, CK; Tan, MH (2010-10-01). "Testicular microlithiasis predicts concurrent testicular germ cell tumors and intratubular germ cell neoplasia of unclassified type in adults: a meta-analysis and systematic review.". Cancer. 116 (19): 4520–32. doi:10.1002/cncr.25231. PMID 20578177.
↑ "Testicular microlithiasis: recent advances in understanding and management". Retrieved March 16, 2011.

External links

Genetic disorder, membrane: Solute carrier disorders

1-10	SLC1A3 Episodic ataxia 6 SLC2A1 De Vivo disease SLC2A5 Fructose malabsorption SLC2A10 Arterial tortuosity syndrome SLC3A1 Cystinuria SLC4A1 Hereditary spherocytosis 4/Hereditary elliptocytosis 4 SLC4A11 Congenital endothelial dystrophy type 2 Fuchs' dystrophy 4 SLC5A1 Glucose-galactose malabsorption SLC5A2 Renal glycosuria SLC5A5 Thyroid dyshormonogenesis type 1 SLC6A19 Hartnup disease SLC7A7 Lysinuric protein intolerance SLC7A9 Cystinuria

11-20	SLC11A1 Crohn's disease SLC12A3 Gitelman syndrome SLC16A1 HHF7 SLC16A2 Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome SLC17A5 Salla disease SLC17A8 DFNA25

21-40	SLC26A2 Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia 4 Achondrogenesis type 1B Recessive multiple epiphyseal dysplasia Atelosteogenesis, type II Diastrophic dysplasia SLC26A4 Pendred syndrome SLC35C1 CDOG 2C SLC39A4 Acrodermatitis enteropathica SLC40A1 African iron overload

see also solute carrier family

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