Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42220877›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Polyorchidism: A Narrative Review on Clinical Manifestations, Diagnostic Challenges, Malignancy Risks, and Therapeutic Considerations.

Abdulaziz Alzahrani, Bassam Bugis, Faisal Alslimah, Faisal Alzahrani, Sultan AlKasim, Maher Moazin, Abdullah Alfakhri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Abdulaziz AlzahraniUrology, Prince Mansour Military Hospital, Al-Taif, SAU.
Bassam BugisUrology, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makkah, SAU.
Faisal AlslimahUrology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.
Faisal AlzahraniUrology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU.
Sultan AlKasimCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU.
Maher MoazinUrology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.
Abdullah AlfakhriUrology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Polyorchidism, the presence of more than two testes, remains the rarest congenital anomaly of the male gonads, with fewer than 300 histologically or radiologically confirmed cases reported worldwide. Most supernumerary testes are discovered incidentally during imaging or surgery, yet their detection raises critical questions about malignancy risk, reproductive potential, and appropriate management. Current evidence indicates that approximately 90% of patients have three testes and two‑thirds show left‑sided duplication. About 75% of supernumerary testes are scrotal, roughly one‑fifth lie in the inguinal canal, and a small minority are abdominal or retroperitoneal. Inguinal hernia, cryptorchidism, and torsion are the most frequent associated anomalies, whereas hydrocele, varicocele, and renal agenesis occur less often. The pooled risk of neoplastic transformation ranges from 1% to 7% overall but climbs to 15% to 20% when the supernumerary testis is undescended. High‑resolution ultrasound is the diagnostic mainstay, while magnetic resonance imaging is indispensable for extrascrotal lesions and for clarifying drainage patterns. Contemporary practice increasingly favors surveillance of scrotal, anatomically normal, vas‑draining supernumerary testes, whereas extrascrotal, non‑draining, dysgenetic, or radiologically suspicious lesions warrant orchiectomy. Fertility outcomes remain poorly characterized. Isolated reports document both preserved spermatogenesis and severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and endocrine profiles are usually normal. Advances in imaging have enabled conservative, fertility‑preserving management in many patients, but the absence of prospective registries, standardized follow‑up protocols, and molecular profiling limits reliable risk stratification. Multicenter collaborations are therefore essential to refine oncologic estimates, clarify reproductive implications, and establish evidence‑based guidelines for this exceptionally rare condition.

Indexed as

infertilitymagnetic resonance imagingpolyorchidismsupernumerary testistesticular cancertesticular torsiontriorchidismultrasound

Identifiers

PMID42220877
PMCPMC13222084

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.