Orchiectomy
The orchiectomy (also orchidectomy , orchectomy , from Greek ὄρὄις orchis "testicle" and εκτομία ektomia "cutting out" and also ablatio testis ) is the removal of a single testicle or both organs. First and foremost, it is a surgical measure for malignant testicular cancer . Orchiectomy is a form of castration when both testicles are removed .
Castration by orchiectomy has historically been a religious practice of the male Skopzen . In Germany it is also allowed under certain conditions for the voluntary therapy of sexual disorders, as stipulated in the law on voluntary castration and other treatment methods ( KastrG ) of August 15, 1969.
Use in prostate cancer
The removal of both testicles is usually done in connection with advanced prostate cancer . The aim of the treatment here is to slow down the further growth of this hormone-dependent disease. The effectiveness of medicinal procedures - often called "chemical castration" forms of therapy - is not superior to orchiectomy here.
A subcapsular or plastic orchiectomy is a surgical procedure in which only the hormone-producing germ tissue is removed and the epididymis and testicular envelopes remain, which gives the impression that a (smaller) testicle is still present. Alternatively, a testicular prosthesis can be implanted.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Metastudy: Orchiectomy for prostate cancer unsurpassed. Seidenfeld J et al ; Ann Intern Med 2000 (April 4); 132: 566-77
