Surgery to remove the testicle is part of how testicular cancer is diagnosed, and it can be part of treatment too. Here's what the surgery is, and every TCF guide on the weeks and years after it.
An inguinal orchiectomy removes the entire testicle through a cut in the groin. The tissue is then checked under a microscope, and if cancer is found, its type (seminoma or nonseminoma) helps plan treatment.
The surgeon does not cut through the scrotum to take a sample, because if cancer is present that could cause it to spread. That's why it's important to choose a surgeon who has experience with this surgery.
After surgery, some men are given chemotherapy or radiation to lower the risk that the cancer comes back. Others are followed closely with regular tests instead.
Some treatments for testicular cancer can cause infertility that may be permanent. If there's any chance you'll want kids, ask about sperm banking before treatment starts.
A straight answer to the question most guys ask first.
The surgeries used for testicular cancer.
Centers that treat a lot of testicular cancer.
Every TCF guide on fertility in one place.
Losing a testicle is a physical change and, for a lot of guys, an emotional one. These guides cover both.
What to weigh before you decide.
Emotional and physical experiences.
Questions guys don't always ask out loud.
Some men also have surgery to remove lymph nodes. A retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) removes lymph nodes from the retroperitoneum, the area behind the abdominal wall.
Surgery coming up, or just had it? Other guys have been exactly here.
Answers to your questions any time, in plain language.
Talk to the TCF team.
Guys who've been through it, every week.
Sources: National Cancer Institute, Testicular Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis and Testicular Cancer Treatment. This page is for education, not medical advice.
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