Surgery for testicular cancer

Surgery to remove a testicle with cancer is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. An incision (cut) is made just above the pubic area and the testicle is carefully removed from the scrotum through the opening. The surgeon then removes the entire tumor along with the testicle and spermatic cord. The spermatic cord contains part of the vas deferens, as well as lymph and blood vessels that could act as pathways for a testicular cancer to spread to the rest of the body. To reduce the likelihood of this, these vessels are tied off at the beginning of the operation.

All testicular cancers are usually treated with surgery, even cancers that have spread.

Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, the lymph nodes around the large blood vessels (the aorta and inferior vena cava) in the back of the abdomen may be removed at the same time as the orchiectomy or during a second operation. It is not necessary to remove lymph nodes in all people with testicular cancer.  Therefore, it is important to discuss this issue (and the options) with your doctor.

This is a complex and time-consuming operation. In most cases, a large incision (curt) is made in the lower half of the abdomen to remove the lymph nodes. This operation should be performed by a surgeon who has experience performing this operation, as experience is important.