Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Orchidectomy: what the operation involves | CION Cancer Clinics
An orchidectomy removes the whole testicle and its cord through a cut in the groin, under a general or spinal anaesthetic. The operation is short and most men go home the same day or the next morning. This page walks through what happens on the day, what the first week feels like, the words on your discharge summary, and what the operation cannot tell you on its own. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar MuddusettyConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery, AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- What actually happens in an orchidectomy?
- What happens from arrival to going home?
- What do the days after the operation feel like?
- Which words will you see, and what do they mean?
- What families ask us, and what is actually true
- What this page cannot tell you
- Common questions about the orchidectomy operation
The short answer
What actually happens in an orchidectomy?
An orchidectomy removes the whole testicle, along with the cord that carries its blood supply, through a cut in the groin. You are asleep or numbed from the waist down, the operation itself is short, and most men go home the same day or the next morning.
Why the cut is in the groin, not the scrotum
When the reason for surgery is a suspected cancer, the surgeon goes in through the groin crease, above the scrotum. The testicle is lifted up through that cut and the cord is tied off high, close to where it enters the body. This keeps the cancer inside its natural boundaries and sends everything for testing in one piece.
What is taken and what is left
The testicle, the small tube that sits behind it and the cord are removed together. The scrotum, the skin and the other testicle are left alone. The other testicle usually takes over the work of making hormone and sperm, which is why one is generally enough for daily life.
Who this operation is not for
Not every lump in the scrotum needs this surgery. Fluid around the testicle, a cyst behind it and infection all cause swelling, and none is treated this way. The ultrasound and blood tests tell your team which kind of lump you have before anyone talks about removing anything.
Your surgeon decides the approach with you. This page describes the usual pattern, not a plan for you.On the day
What happens from arrival to going home?
Admission and checks
You come in fasting, as instructed. A nurse checks your blood pressure, marks the correct side with a pen, and the anaesthetist confirms your medicines. Bring your ultrasound report and blood results, including the tumour markers if they were done.
The anaesthetic
Most men have a general anaesthetic and are fully asleep. Some have a spinal injection that numbs the lower body instead. The anaesthetist chooses with you, based on your health and your preference.
The cut and the cord
A cut about a palm-width long is made in the groin crease. The surgeon finds the cord, clamps it high so nothing can travel along it, then gently brings the testicle up through the cut and removes it with the cord attached.
Closing and the recovery room
The layers are closed with stitches that usually dissolve on their own. A dressing goes over the wound. You wake in a recovery area where a nurse watches your breathing and pain until you are settled.
Going home
Once you have passed urine, eaten something and are walking, you can leave. Someone has to take you home. You are given pain tablets, a wound care sheet and a date to come back for the pathology report.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistThe first week
What do the days after the operation feel like?
Most of what follows is expected. Knowing it in advance makes the first week far less frightening.
Pain
The groin is sore, especially when standing up from a chair or climbing stairs. Ordinary pain tablets control it for most men, and supportive underwear helps. It eases day by day.
Swelling and bruising
The scrotum often swells and turns purple over the first few days, because blood settles downwards. This looks alarming and is usually harmless. It fades over a couple of weeks.
Swelling that grows quickly and is tight or very painful is different. See the box below.The scar
The scar sits in the groin crease, where underwear covers it. It is red and firm at first and softens over months. Keep it dry until the nurse says otherwise, and do not pick at the dressing.
The empty side
The scrotum on that side hangs looser. Many men find this bothers them less than they feared. If it does bother you, a silicone prosthesis can be placed, sometimes at the same operation and sometimes later. Ask before the day.
On your discharge summary
Which words will you see, and what do they mean?
- Radical inguinal orchidectomy
- The full name of this operation. Radical means the whole testicle and cord are taken; inguinal means the cut is in the groin.
- Spermatic cord
- The bundle of blood vessels and the sperm tube that hang the testicle from the body. It is tied off and removed with the testicle.
- High ligation
- Tying the cord as close to the body as possible. It is done so that no cancer cells are left in the stump of the cord.
- Histopathology
- The examination of the removed testicle under the microscope. This report, not the operation, tells you what type of cancer it was.
- Tumour markers
- Blood tests called AFP, beta-hCG and LDH. They are measured before and after surgery to see whether anything is left behind.
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One thing that cannot wait
If the scrotum or groin swells quickly, feels tight and hard, and the pain suddenly gets much worse, that can be bleeding inside the wound. Go to the hospital where you had the operation the same day, or the nearest emergency department. Do the same for a fever with shivering, or pus leaking from the wound. Do not wait for the morning clinic and do not press on the swelling to check it.
Commonly believed
What families ask us, and what is actually true
"He will not be able to have sex afterwards."
Removing one testicle does not stop erections or sex. The nerves and blood vessels that matter for that are not touched. The remaining testicle usually makes enough hormone. Most men return to a normal sex life once the groin has healed.
"Take a small sample first, then decide."
For a suspected cancer of the testicle, a needle biopsy is avoided. It risks spreading cells into the scrotum and gives an unreliable answer. Ultrasound and blood tests are accurate enough to justify removing the testicle, which is the biopsy and the treatment in one.
"Everyone will be able to tell."
Nobody can tell through clothes. The scar is in the groin crease and the scrotum still looks like a scrotum. If the change troubles you, a prosthesis is available.
"Once it is out, the treatment is over."
Sometimes it is. Whether anything more is needed depends on the type of cancer found under the microscope, the blood markers and the scans. Some men need only regular checks. Others are advised chemotherapy or radiotherapy. That decision comes after the pathology report.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
This page cannot tell you whether you need this operation, or whether the lump is cancer. Those answers come from your ultrasound, your blood tests and the surgeon who has examined you. It also cannot tell you what comes after, because that depends on the pathology report.
Questions worth asking before the day
Ask which anaesthetic is planned and why. Ask whether a prosthesis can be placed at the same time if you want one. Ask about sperm banking if children are in your future, because it is done before the operation, not after. Ask when the pathology report will be ready and who will explain it to you.
If you are reading this at night and cannot wait for the appointment, call the helpline. Someone will talk it through.Questions we are asked
Common questions about the orchidectomy operation
How long does the operation take?
The surgery itself usually takes well under an hour. You will be away from the ward for longer, because the anaesthetic, the recovery room and the wait to be fully awake all add time. Tell the family to expect a morning or an afternoon, so nobody panics at the clock.
Will I be asleep for it?
Usually, yes. A general anaesthetic is the common choice. A spinal injection, which numbs you from the waist down while you stay awake or lightly sedated, is an option for some men, especially if a general anaesthetic carries extra risk for you. The anaesthetist will discuss this with you before the day.
Do I have to stay in hospital overnight?
Many men go home the same evening. Others stay one night, especially if the operation was late in the day, if they live far away, or if pain or sickness after the anaesthetic needs settling. It is not a sign that something went wrong. Plan for a night, and be pleased if you do not need it.
Will there be a drain or a catheter?
Usually neither. This is a small operation near the surface of the body, so a drain tube is rarely needed. A urine catheter is sometimes placed during a spinal anaesthetic and removed before you go home. If either is used, the nurse explains why and when it comes out.
When can I go back to work?
Desk work is often possible within a week or two, once sitting is comfortable. Work that involves lifting, long drives or standing all day takes longer, usually a few weeks. Your surgeon will give you a date based on your job. Do not lift heavy weights until the groin has healed.
Does removing the testicle mean the cancer is gone?
It means the cancer in the testicle is gone. Whether any cells have travelled elsewhere is answered by the pathology report, the blood markers after surgery and a CT scan. For many men nothing more is needed beyond regular checks. For others, further treatment is advised. Your oncologist explains this at the report appointment.
Can I ask for a prosthesis on the day?
Ask before the day, not on it. A prosthesis has to be ordered in the right size, and some surgeons prefer to place it at a second small operation once the wound has healed. If you are unsure, it is fine to decide later; it can be done months or years afterwards.
Is this covered by Aarogyasri or insurance?
Usually, when it is part of a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS and EHS are accepted, and most cashless insurers are empanelled. Pre-approval takes time, so hand over your card and reports early. Call the helpline and we will check your cover before you travel.
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MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
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Sources
- NHS — Testicular cancer: treatment
- Cancer Research UK — Surgery for testicular cancer
- American Cancer Society — Surgery for testicular cancer
- National Cancer Institute — Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ), patient version
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Why the Testicle Is Removed Rather Than BiopsiedThe question most families ask firstSperm Banking Before OrchidectomyDone before the operation, not afterRecovery After OrchidectomyWeek by week, from the wound to workThe Day of the OperationWhat every surgical patient at CION can expectOrchidectomyEvery page in this guide
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Been told you need a testicle removed?
Send us the ultrasound and blood reports, or call the helpline. A surgical oncologist will explain what the operation would involve for you. One helpline serves every CION centre.