FAQs

What is the diagnosis or pathology being treated by this procedure or surgery?

1

Radical inguinal orchiectomy is the standard surgical treatment to remove a suspicious or cancerous testicle using an incision in the inguinal canal.

Can you describe the procedure or draw a picture?

2

  • General Anesthesia at hospital or surgery center

  • Home same day surgery

  • Incision in the inguinal region. Identification of spermatic cord. Dissection of cord to inguinal ring and ligating the cord and dividing there to remove the testicle and cord.

  • Closure with careful attention to nearby structures.

What are the benefits of doing this procedure?

3

The goal is to remove all of the cancer and any involvement along the spermatic cord.

What are the risks of doing the procedure?

4

  • Pain and swelling in the scrotum and groin: usually temporary and treated with analgesics and scrotal support.

  • Bruising (hematoma): small bruises are common; larger hematomas may need drainage.Bleeding: intraoperative or postoperative bleeding may require additional treatment or rarely reoperation

  • Infection: wound infections are uncommon but possible; treated with antibiotics and, rarely, incision drainage

  • Numbness or altered sensation: numbness of the inner thigh or scrotum from nerve injury, often improves over time but may be permanent.

  • Fertility Status: Sperm banking before treatment is recommended when preservation of fertility is desired.

  • Hormonal: most men maintain normal testosterone levels with one testis. If testosterone falls and symptoms develop, lifelong testosterone replacement may be necessary.

  • Psychologic or body-image concerns: loss of a testis can affect self-image; testicular prosthesis placement is an option but now common.

Are there alternatives to this procedure I should be considering?

5

There are no alternatives to the surgical appproach. Patients with equivocal findings on ultrasound may be offered serial ultrasound imaging prior to testicle removal

Is this a common procedure?

6

Yes, this is a routine and common procedure.

Should I do the procedure now or what happens if I wait to do the procedure?

7

Guys facing testicle cancer should have the surgery as soon as possible as reasonable possi

How do I prepare for this surgery?

8

  • Preoperative clearance evaluation by a primary physician

  • Avoidance of blood thinning medication.

  • Standard recommendation for not eating and drinking prior to surgery.

How do I recover from this procedure?

9

  • Short observation, often same-day discharge or overnight stay.

  • Pain controlled with oral medications; scrotal support and ice reduce swelling.

  • Patient may shower with incision protected by skin adhesive applied during surgery.

  • Activity: light activities in days, avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks.

  • Follow-up with pathology results to determine further treatment.

When to call your surgeon

  • Fever > 101.5°F (38.6°C), increasing redness or drainage from the incision, severe uncontrolled pain, sudden swelling or heaviness in the scrotum, or signs of wound opening or large bleeding.

Is this procedure covered by insurance?

10

Yes, this is covered by insurance.

What other resources are available for me?

11

The National Cancer Institute is NCI.gov.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network is NCCN.org

Urology Care Foundation at UrologyHealth.org