Read article Having your testicular cancer operation
This page is about what happens when you have your operation for testicular cancer. There is information about
Having your testicular cancer operation
Before your operation, the surgeon and anaesthetist will explain exactly what they are going to do. You will be taught breathing and leg exercises to help prevent problems after surgery. You may have a shave to your groin, chest or abdomen, depending on the operation you are having.
If you are having removal of a testicle you will usually be able to move around soon after the surgery and will be able to eat and drink as soon as you have recovered from the anaesthetic.
If you are having removal of lymph nodes or lung tumours, you will probably have a drip to give you liquids, tubes called drains to stop fluid collecting around the operation site, and a catheter to drain your bladder. You will have regular painkillers.
As soon as you are eating and drinking, your drip can come down. The drainage tubes will be taken out over the next few days. As long as you are recovering well, you should then be able to go home.
Give yourself time to recover. If you feel this is taking longer than it should, you could ask your GP about counselling or a support group. Talking about how you are feeling can help you to feel better.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating testicular cancer section.
When you go into hospital, your surgeon and anaesthetist will see you to explain exactly what they are going to do. You will be taught breathing and leg exercises to help prevent chest infection and blood clots after surgery. Your groin, chest or abdomen may be shaved, depending on the operation you are having.
This section describes what happens
After removal of a testicle
If you are having removal of a testicle you will usually be able to eat and drink as soon as you have recovered from the anaesthetic. Your wound will be sore but you will have painkillers to take.
After removal of lymph nodes or lung tumours
If you are having removal of lymph nodes or tumours in the lung, you will probably have several tubes in place when you come round after the operation. You may have
- A drip (intravenous infusion) to give you liquids
- Tubes called drains to stop fluid collecting around the operation site
- A catheter to drain your bladder
You will also have a blood pressure cuff on your arm and may have a clip on your finger to measure your pulse.
You may have a pump containing painkillers going into your drip. You might have a hand control with a button to press to give yourself extra painkillers if you need them.
If you have a catheter, it can probably come out as soon as you are awake enough to pass urine normally. As soon as you are eating and drinking, your drip can come down. The drainage tubes will be taken out over the next few days, once they have stopped draining fluid. As long as you are recovering well, you should be able to go home once your drains have come out.
Give yourself time. If you feel your recovery is taking longer than it should, you may want to talk to your GP about finding a counsellor or support group of other people who have been through a similar experience.
If you would like to find out about counselling and support groups in your area, contact one of the testicular cancer organisations that provide a counselling service or have a look in our coping with cancer section. They will be happy to help. Talking to someone outside your circle of family and friends about how you are feeling can help you to feel better.
Don't forget to look at the testicular cancer reading list for more sources of information.
You can also contact our cancer information nurses. They would be happy to help.
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