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The role of partial orchidectomy in the management of small testicular tumours: Fertility and endocrine function
Author(s) -
Raison Nicholas,
Warrington Jake,
Alnajjar Hussain M.,
Muneer Asif,
Ahmed Kamran
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 2047-2927
pISSN - 2047-2919
DOI - 10.1111/andr.12786
Subject(s) - endocrine system , fertility , medicine , concomitant , fertility preservation , gynecology , testosterone (patch) , radiation therapy , urology , physiology , hormone , population , environmental health
Background Radical orchidectomy in patients who are subsequently diagnosed with benign testicular tumours represents an overtreatment due to the deleterious effects on endogenous testosterone, fertility and body image. For these reasons, the option of partial orchidectomy (PO) should be considered in certain groups of patients. Patients with bilateral tumours (synchronous or metachronous) or a solitary testis where the lesion is no greater than 30% of the volume of the testis could be considered for a PO. Evidence has shown that PO is effective for small testicular masses with excellent survival and recurrence rates. Objectives Highlight the feasibility of maintaining post‐operative fertility or normal semen parameters and endocrine function following PO. Materials and Methods Data for this review were obtained through a search of the PubMed database. Papers were required to be in English and focus on adult human males. Results Eligible and relevant papers were assessed for data regarding fertility, semen parameters and endocrine function following PO for a small testicular mass (STM). Conclusion It is possible to preserve both fertility and endocrine function after PO. Although patients may still require adjuvant radiotherapy for concomitant intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) which results in subfertility, endocrine function is still conserved. However, it is possible to postpone radiotherapy and continue with clinical surveillance for the purposes of fertility preservation.