Expert Testicular Cancer Surgery

Explore surgery options for testicular cancer.

Surgery is the main treatment for testicular cancer, and it requires a highly skilled surgeon. Our surgeons are pioneers in innovative and minimally invasive surgical techniques for testicular cancer.

Types of testicular cancer surgery

The type of testicular cancer surgery that is right for you will depend on your unique needs and goals. Before surgery, your team will discuss your fertility preservation options.

At Henry Ford, we use the most advanced techniques, approaches and technologies available, including:

• Orchiectomy: This technique is used to diagnose and treat both early-stage and later-stage testicular cancer. This surgery removes the entire testicle and mass through a small cut in the groin. The spermatic cord is also removed. The cell type will be confirmed and staged with this surgery.
  
  • After surgery, regular surveillance is done to make sure the cancer doesn’t return.
  • If one testicle is removed and the other is normal, testosterone levels should be fine. The remaining, healthy testicle should make enough testosterone. About 10 percent to 15 percent of testicular cancer survivors will have low testosterone levels and can get treatment.
  • If a man is concerned about the way he looks, a testicular prosthesis is an option.
• Testis-sparing surgery (TSS): This surgery removes just the tumor tissue, not the entire testis, and it is only recommended for select cases, including men with benign tumors or very small masses.
  
  • After surgery, regular surveillance is done to make sure the cancer doesn’t return.
• Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND): This complex surgery is used to limit the side effects of removing the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen. It is an option for patients with stage I cancer and those with a high risk for recurrence. It is typically recommended for men with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. And, it can be used rather than chemotherapy for patients with stage IIA or IIB non-seminoma tumors.
  
  • After RPLND surgery, chemotherapy or surveillance is offered, depending on the cancer location, type and risk of recurrence.

Active surveillance after surgery

If you have surgery to remove slow-growing stage 1 testicular cancer, your doctor may recommend active surveillance. This approach may reduce the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Active surveillance involves closely monitoring signs or symptoms to determine if the cancer has returned. Usually, surveillance lasts for 5-10 years, depending on your condition and your doctor’s advice. For the first three years, follow-up visits with your doctor may be required every 2-6 months. Tests done during the visits may include a physical exam, blood tests, chest X-ray, or CT scan of the abdomen.