Testicular cancer is most common among males aged 15–40 years, particularly those in their mid-twenties. Over your lifetime, a man's risk of testicular cancer is roughly 1 in 250 (0.4%).
Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: in excess of 90 percent; essentially 100 percent if it has not metastasized (spread).
It should be remembered that not all lumps on the testicles are tumours, and not all tumours are malignant; there are many other conditions such as:
- testicular microlithiasis (calcification on the testicle)
- epididymal cysts
- appendix testis (hydatid of Morgagni)
which may be painful but are non-cancerous.
If you find a lump get it checked out by your GP!
Radical Orchidectomy
You will meet with your surgeon to discuss the results of your scan and blood tests.
Points to discuss with your surgeon:
- Tumour marker blood tests pre-operatively
- Consider prosthesis insertion at the same time
- Consider pre-operative sperm banking
You will be admitted to hospital within the next 2 weeks for surgery to remove your testicle. You will usually be admitted as a day case and discharged home on the same day. You will be told the time to attend the Day Case Unit and when to stop eating and drinking prior to your admission.
You will have a general anaesthetic. The operation removes the testcile and the tubes attached to the testicle on the same side. Your wound will be in your groin with a dressing over it. The stitches are usually dissolvable therefore do not need to be removed.