Although an orchiectomy (an operation to remove one of your testicles) is a very major event in your life the surgery itself is quite simple and relatively minor.

This means that usually you will be able to leave hospital just a day or so after the operation.

The answer to the question 'how soon can I return to work' depends on whether or not you will need any further treatment after the operation.

Sometimes an orchiectomy is the only treatment needed for a testicular cancer (although you will need to attend as an out-patient for regular check-ups for some years afterwards). Often, however, further treatment with either radiotherapy or chemotherapy will be needed. These treatments are usually quite intensive and most men find that they are not able to continue work during the therapy and for a while afterwards.

So someone having just an orchidectomy alone will probably be off work for 4 to 6 weeks. If radiotherapy is needed then the time is more likely to be 2 to 3 months, whereas if chemotherapy is necessary it could be anywhere from 6 to 12 months before you will be able to work again.

Different people will need different treatment and will vary in how they cope with their therapy. Also, some jobs are much more physically or emotionally demanding than others. This means that it is impossible to give a precise answer on how soon you will be able to return to work but the figures given do offer a guide. The thing to do is to discuss your own personal circumstances, both for work and your treatment, with your doctors and they will be able to give you a better idea of just how you will be affected.