Types of surgery for testicular cancer

There are different types of surgery for testicular cancer.

You have surgery to remove your testicle to diagnose your cancer. This is also your first treatment for testicular cancer. 

Your doctor might also suggest an operation to remove some lymph nodes from the back of your tummy (abdomen). This operation is called a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

Removing a testicle (orchidectomy)

Removing the testicle is called an orchidectomy or orchiectomy. In some people with very small tumours the surgeon might remove only part of the testicle. But this is very rare. It is called a partial orchidectomy.

Read more about surgery to remove your testicle

Removing lymph nodes (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection)

​Lymph nodes​ are found in many parts of the body. Cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and make them bigger (enlarged). 

Testicular cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the back of the tummy. These are called the retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

You might need to have an operation to remove these lymph nodes. The operation is called a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. This is a large operation. You have the surgery in a specialist centre.

Read about surgery to remove retroperitoneal lymph nodes

Surgery to remove cancer that has spread to other parts of the body

Sometimes testicular cancer can spread to other parts of the body. For example, it can spread to the lungs or the brain. You might have surgery to remove the cancer.

Your surgeon will give you more information if you need to have this specialised surgery.

Find out what happens before and after surgery