Complete genital prosthetization in patients treated with bilateral orchiectomy for metachronous testicular cancer

Testicular malignant tumours represent 1% of neoplasms. The probability of developing a contralateral tumour is between 3% and 7%. We report two cases of complete genital prosthetization in two patients treated with bilateral orchiectomy for metachronous testicular cancer. In our knowledge no previous case is reported in literature.

A 46-year-old patient and a 49-year-old patient underwent bilateral radical orchiectomy for metachronous cancers of the testis. The first patient complained the complete loss of libido and complete impotence. For this reason he began a substitutive hormonal therapy with testosterone esters obtaining re-establishment of the masculine phenotype. With the reappearance of the libido and physical efficiency, the patient showed the intention to recover sexual activity and he was treated first by phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and then he began a cycle of prostaglandin El1(PGE1) but unfortunately without a satisfactory sexual performance. The second man maintained libido, lost sexual efficiency and showed hypogonadism. Substitutive therapy with testosterone enanthate obtained normalization of testosterone values. A psychosexual assessment highlighted a depressive state related to the absence of sexual performance due to an erectile deficit, that was treated first by PDE-5 inhibitors and then by intracavernous injections of PGEI without benefits. After individual and couple counselling both of the patients submitted both semirigid mono component penile prosthesis and bilateral testicular prostheses implantation by means of a single penile-scrotal incision. Both the patients regained sexual activity and were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance.

We underline the importance of the collaboration between the andrologist and the psycho-sexologist and the on-going collaboration with the patient. This allows the clinician to appraise the situation completely and to work out a common solution built around the patient to obtain a full recovery of his identity.