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The relationship between testicular tumour characteristics and azoospermia: a systematic review

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 34, pages 543–551 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Subfertility is a risk factor for testicular cancers (TT), and conversely, TT may induce subfertility due to local and regional toxic effects. We aimed to identify the association between TT characteristics and pre-orchidectomy azoospermia. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA checklist. Overall, eight non-randomised studies involving 469 men with TT (azoospermia, n = 57; no azoospermia n = 412) were included in the qualitative analysis. Bilateral TT (12.3% vs 2.9% in non-azoospermia), non-seminoma germ cell tumours (6.4% vs 1.9%), germ cell neoplasia in-situ (GCNIS) (11.1% vs 1.2%), stage 2–3 disease (22.2% vs 0%), Sertoli Cell only (SCO) on biopsy (60% vs 37.5%) and a history of undescended testis (UDT) (66.7% vs 50%) were more common in azoospermic men. FSH levels are higher (18.7–23.2 mIU/L vs <0.1–8 mIU/L in non-azoospermia), testosterone is lower, and testis size are smaller (lower range 1 mL vs 10 mL) in men with azoospermia. Leydig cell tumours and hyperplasia were only detected in men with azoospermia. In summary, bilateral TT, GCNIS, higher tumour stage, smaller testes, SCO and history of UDT may have direct effects on spermatogenesis. Small testis, raised FSH and low testosterone may reflect reduced testicular function in azoospermic men. Performing a pre-orchidectomy semen analysis is important to identify those with azoospermia or severe oligospermia in order to plan for cryopreservation or onco-TESE in young men who wish to conceive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Urology Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Karl H. Pang

  2. Section of Andrology, Pyrah Department of Urology, St James’s Hospital, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK

    Karl H. Pang

  3. Section of Functional and Reconstructive Urology, Department of Urology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK

    Nadir I. Osman

  4. Institute of Andrology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Asif Muneer & Hussain M. Alnajjar

  5. Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK

    Asif Muneer

  6. NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCLH, London, UK

    Asif Muneer

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  1. Karl H. Pang
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  4. Hussain M. Alnajjar
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Contributions

KHP had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: HA. Acquisition of data: KHP, NIO. Analysis and interpretation: KHP, NIO, AM, HA. Drafting of the manuscript: KHP. Critical revision of the manuscript: KHP, NIO, AM, HA.  Statistical analysis: KHP. Obtaining funding: None. Administrative, technical or material support: None. Supervision: HA.

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Correspondence to Hussain M. Alnajjar.

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KHP certifies that all conflicts of interest, including specific financial interests and relationships and affiliations relevant to the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript (e.g. employment/affiliation, grants or funding, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, royalties, or patents filed, received, or pending), are the following: None.

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Pang, K.H., Osman, N.I., Muneer, A. et al. The relationship between testicular tumour characteristics and azoospermia: a systematic review. Int J Impot Res 34, 543–551 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00492-x

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