Medical term:
orchiectomy
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orchiectomy
[or″ke-ek´to-me]excision of one or both testes, done when a testis is seriously injured or diseased (as in testicular cancer).
If both testes are removed (bilateral orchiectomy or castration), the ability to reproduce is ended. There is also a decrease in production of testosterone, and although bilateral orchiectomy does not interfere with the ability to have sexual intercourse, the loss of both testes can reduce sexual desire. When this occurs before puberty, it prevents the development of secondary sex characters because of testosterone deficit. Replacement therapy may be necessary to maintain a desirable level of the hormone. If the procedure is done after puberty, when the masculine characters have already developed, the effects are much less extreme.
If both testes are removed (bilateral orchiectomy or castration), the ability to reproduce is ended. There is also a decrease in production of testosterone, and although bilateral orchiectomy does not interfere with the ability to have sexual intercourse, the loss of both testes can reduce sexual desire. When this occurs before puberty, it prevents the development of secondary sex characters because of testosterone deficit. Replacement therapy may be necessary to maintain a desirable level of the hormone. If the procedure is done after puberty, when the masculine characters have already developed, the effects are much less extreme.
Patient Care. The patient having orchiectomy for treatment of testicular cancer will have special needs in addition to those expected in a cancer patient. He will need help in dealing with problems related to his masculinity, self-concept, and sexual activity. He should be given time to think about and discuss the effects of his surgery. The surgeon is responsible for informing the patient about the procedure and its anticipated long-term effects. The nurse and other health care personnel can clarify any information the patient and his family may have been unable to assimilate during their conference with the surgeon. All members of the health care team should know the expected prognosis and be prepared to answer the patient's questions truthfully and matter-of-factly. He will need an optimistic outlook and encouragement to deal with the future without being given false hope and unreasonable expectations for recovery from the effects of his therapy.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
or·chi·ec·to·my
(ōr'kē-ek'tŏ-mē),Removal of one or both testes.
Synonym(s): orchectomy, orchidectomy, testectomy
[orchi- + G. ektomē, excision]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
orchiectomy
(ôr′kē-ĕk′tə-mē) ororchidectomy
(-kĭ-dĕk′-)n. pl. orchiecto·mies
Surgical removal of one or both testes.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
orchiectomy
Orchidectomy Urology The surgical removal of one or both testicles Indications CA–eg, seminoma or other germ cell tumor, hormonal ablation in Pts with prostate CA; hormonal deletion in habitual sex offenders. See Inguinal orchiectomy.McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
or·chi·ec·to·my
(ōr'kē-ek'tŏ-mē)Removal of one or both testes.
Synonym(s): orchidectomy, testectomy.
Synonym(s): orchidectomy, testectomy.
[orchi- + G. ektomē, excision]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
orchiectomy
, orchectomy (or?ke-ek'to-me) [ orchio- + -ectomy]
ORCHIECTOMY: the right testicle is surgically absent
Surgical excision of a testicle or the testicles. Synonym: androgen deprivationmale castration; orchidectomy See: illustration
Patient care
The plan of care and expected outcome of the surgery are explained, and information is provided about scrotal prostheses. Patient teaching is modified according to the extent of surgery. Deep-breathing and coughing exercises are taught, and the importance of early ambulation and activity after surgery is emphasized. Pain control measures are discussed, and the patient is advised to seek pain relief in the postoperative period before pain becomes severe. If only one testicle is removed and the other one is healthy, impotence does not occur. If both testicles are removed, the patient may require hormone replacement therapy. Support and reassurance are offered to the patient and family. Patients having this surgery for testicular cancer are offered the opportunity to bank sperm prior to the surgery.
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners
Orchiectomy
Surgical removal of the testes that eliminates the production of testosterone to treat prostate cancer.
Mentioned in: Prostate Cancer, Testicular Surgery
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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