Removing a testicle (orchidectomy) for testicular cancer

You will need to have an operation to remove a testicle if tests show that it is likely you have testicular cancer. This surgery is called an orchidectomy or orchiectomy. 

It is a short operation. You can usually go home later that day but might need to stay in hospital overnight.

Why you might have this surgery

You need to have this surgery to:

• make a definite diagnosis of testicular cancer
• find out what type of testicular cancer you have

This surgery also removes the cancer and is one of the main treatments for testicular cancer. Surgery alone can cure testicular cancer for some men. So you might not need to have any further treatment.

What happens

You have the operation under either:

• a general anaesthetic (where you are unconscious) or
• a spinal anaesthetic (where you are awake but can't feel anything from the waist down)

The operation normally takes about 30 minutes.

The surgeon makes a cut in the groin and cuts the spermatic cord to remove the testicle. They might also remove nearby lymph nodes.

In some men with very small tumours the surgeon removes only part of the testicle but this is very rare. It is called a partial orchidectomy.

The surgeon sends the removed testicle to the laboratory for examination under a microscope. It takes a few days to get the results.

Removing both testicles

It isn't common to have testicular cancer in both testicles. If you do have cancer in both testicles you would need surgery to remove them both.

Having a false testicle (prosthesis)

Your doctor can usually put a false testicle in place of the missing one. This is called a prosthesis or an implant.

Your surgeon will discuss this with you before the operation. They can tell you more about it and help you decide what you want to do. The surgeon can usually fit a prosthesis at a later date if you would rather wait.

After the surgery

You can usually go home later that day but might need to stay in hospital overnight.

Your groin and scrotum may be uncomfortable for a week or so. You might need to take mild painkillers. 

Most men can go back to normal activities, including work, after 2 weeks. But you might need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a month.

Possible risks

Pain and discomfort

You will have some soreness and bruising for a couple of weeks after your operation. 

Sex and fertility

Surgery to remove one testicle won’t affect your ability to get an erection.

For most men this surgery won’t affect your ability to have children. But sometimes, the remaining testicle might not work so well. This could reduce your fertility.

Talk to your doctor if having children is important. They usually suggest sperm banking before having surgery.

Removing both testicles

If you did have cancer in both testicles you would need surgery to remove them both. This isn't common. To maintain your sex drive and be able to get an erection you would need testosterone replacement therapy.

Possible changes to your sex drive and becoming infertile can be difficult to come to terms with. Talking to someone about this could help. This could be a close friend or a professional.

If you have testicular cancer

Your doctor will give you an appointment to get the results of the operation. They will tell you whether the operation shows you have cancer. And what type of testicular cancer you have.

You may need further tests and treatment if you have testicular cancer.

You have regular monitoring with appointments and tests if:

• the surgery removed all the cancer
• there is a low risk of it coming back.

You have treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or further surgery if there is a higher risk of the cancer coming back.