Seeing the urologist
What's a urologist appointment for?
After checking in with your doctor about what’s going on with your nuts, they may refer you to see a urologist. They may suspect that you have testicular cancer and may even tell you as much – but the urologist will typically make the official call.
Your urologist will take into account any test results, symptoms and what they can gather from a physical exam before making a proper testicular cancer diagnosis.
Being diagnosed can feel surreal, but know that you're not alone. Your urologist and the rest of your care team are going to be there for you throughout this journey, getting you the treatment you need, when you need it.
What does a urologist do?
A urologist is a specialist in treating diseases and disorders of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. They advise on anything to do with your urinary and reproductive organs – such as the kidney, bladder, prostate, penis and testicles. So this person knows their stuff when it comes to nuts.
They also perform surgeries, and while urologists are testicular cancer experts, they treat conditions in both men and women.
They’ll be a crucial part of your care team.
What happens next?
After testicular cancer diagnosis, you’ll usually be booked into surgery to remove the affected testicle. This is done through a small cut above the groin. Once the testicle is removed, it will be sent to a pathology center, where they'll examine it to confirm that it was cancer and what type of cancer it was.
Before surgery, there are a number of questions you can ask your urologist to get more details. So let’s get into those before moving on to what testicular cancer surgery involves.
What should I ask my urologist?
Here are some top questions to ask your urologist during your appointment:
Who will be performing the surgery?
When will surgery take place?
What are the risks?
What should I do to prepare?
How experienced is the surgeon in orchiectomy?
How long will the operation take?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Remember, there are no silly questions here. Get as much information as you need to feel comfortable, safe and able to take charge.
