Semen quality before and after orchiectomy in men with testicular cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the impact of removal of the tumour bearing testis on semen quality in men with testicular cancer and the effect of tumour histologic feature on semen quality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We took into account the semen analysis before and after orchiectomy in 30 patients.

RESULTS

The median sperm concentration before and after orchiectomy was respectively of 26.7 x 10(6)/ml (range: 0-120 x 10(6)/ml) and 16.6 x 10(6)/ml (range: 0-75 x 10(6)/ml) (p = 0.001). Median sperm concentration before and after surgery in patients affected by seminomatous cancer were respectively of 35.47 x 10(6)/ml and 23.99 x 10(6)/ml, while cases of non-seminomatous cancer were respectively of 17.9 x 10(6)/ml and 8.16 x 10(6)/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Semen quality at the diagnosis was poorer in patients affected by non-seminomatous testicular cancer. Sperm concentration deteriorated after orchiectomy. Our findings suggest that the most appropriate time for cryopreservation of semen is before orchiectomy.