A subset of men with prostate cancer have elevated periprostatic androgens compared with levels in peripheral blood (termed the sneaky T phenomenon), which are associated with poor clinical outcomes after radical prostatectomy. These androgens are of testicular origin and reach the prostate, presumably through venous shunting. Varicocele physiology is accompanied by increased hydrostatic pressure within the pelvic venous system, providing a theoretical mechanistic explanation for the sneaky T phenomenon. These observations suggest a potential role for varicocele in contributing to prostate cancer pathophysiology through sneaky T, which if proved, could be a further indication for varicocele repair. Sneaky T can help to explain the differences in the natural history of benign or malignant prostatic diseases between individuals and could be a tool when deciding on the therapeutic course to take.

与外周血水平相比，一部分患有前列腺癌的男性前列腺周围雄激素水平升高（称为潜行 T 现象），这与根治性前列腺切除术后不良的临床结果相关。这些雄激素源自睾丸并可能通过静脉分流到达前列腺。精索静脉曲张生理学伴随着盆腔静脉系统内静水压的增加，这为偷偷摸摸的 T 现象提供了理论机制解释。这些观察结果表明精索静脉曲张通过潜行的 T 在前列腺癌病理生理学中发挥潜在作用，如果得到证实，这可能是精索静脉曲张修复的进一步指征。 Sneaky T 可以帮助解释个体之间良性或恶性前列腺疾病自然史的差异，并且可以成为决定采取治疗方案时的一个工具。