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Castration

Orchiectomy – surgical removal of one or both testicles. Bilateral orchiectomy, or castration, – removal of both testicles because the person is no longer able to reproduce.

Also known as Orchiectomy, Orchidectomy (UK)

About the Condition

Prostate cancer:  rectal examination,  trans rectal ultrasound (TRUS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the patient's blood and tissue biopsy.

Testicular cancer: mass palpation, which may or may not be painful. In order to perform a biopsy for definitive diagnosis, however, the affected testicle must removed by radical orchiectomy.

Testicular cancer 4.2 cases per 100,000. Testicular torsion 4.5 cases per 100,000

• Cancer.
• A tumor is found within the gland itself
• Prostate cancer or cancer of the male breast.
• Prevent cancer when an undescended testicle is found in a patient who is beyond the age of puberty.
• Testicular torsion - twisting of
• Lower the level of testosterone in the body.
• A bilateral orchiectomy is commonly performed as one stage in male-to-female (MTF) gender reassignment surgery.

Symptoms

May or may not be painful. Identified as lump. Testicular torsion (twisting and occlusion of blood supply to the testis resulting in death of the testis - significant groin pain.

Diagnosis

Secondary Considerations: If both testes removed: Infertility and loss of sexual function. Psychological considerations.