Key points about orchiectomy
- An orchiectomy is surgery to remove one or both testicles
- Often done to treat testicular cancer or serious injury
- Can also be part of treatment for prostate cancer or gender-affirming care
- Most people recover quickly and can live normally afterward
- Hormone replacement may be needed if both testicles are removed
Orchiectomy causes
Doctors may recommend an orchiectomy for:
- Testicular cancer
- Severe injury or trauma
- Long-lasting infection in the testicle
- Hormone therapy for prostate or male breast cancer
- Gender-affirming surgery
Orchiectomy risk factors
You may be more likely to need this surgery if you have:
- Testicular cancer or warning signs
- Testicular torsion (twisting of the testicle)
- Family history of testicular or prostate cancer
- Serious trauma to the groin
Orchiectomy symptoms
Signs that could lead to an orchiectomy include:
- Lump or swelling in one testicle
- Pain, discomfort, or feeling of heaviness
- Shrinking of a testicle
- Blood in the semen
- Testicle that doesn’t feel normal
Orchiectomy diagnosis
Doctors may use the following to decide if surgery is needed:
- Physical exam of the testicles
- Ultrasound to check for lumps or swelling
- Blood tests to check for cancer markers
- Imaging scans like CT
- Rarely, a biopsy to confirm diagnosis
Orchiectomy treatment
Types of orchiectomies include:
- Simple orchiectomy – through the scrotum, usually for non-cancer reasons
- Radical orchiectomy – through the groin, mostly for cancer
Treatment details:
- Surgery usually takes under an hour
- Many people go home the same day
- Recovery takes about 1–2 weeks
- You can live with one testicle; hormone levels usually stay normal
If both testicles are removed, you may need testosterone replacement
When to seek care
See your doctor if you:
- Notice a lump or swelling in your testicle
- Have pain or discomfort in your scrotum
- Feel heaviness or notice changes in your testicle
- Have a history of cancer and need treatment options