Self-Esteem and Body Satisfaction After Radical Orchiectomy With or Without Testicular Prosthesis: A Retrospective...

Radical orchiectomy remains the standard treatment for localized testicular cancer. However, the resulting anatomical loss may negatively affect body image and self-esteem, especially in young men. The use of testicular prostheses has been proposed as a reconstructive option to mitigate these psychosocial effects, though evidence on its impact on global self-esteem remains limited, particularly in Latin American populations.  Methods: We conducted a retrospective, analytical study among adult patients with non-metastatic testicular cancer who underwent radical orchiectomy at a tertiary public hospital in Mexico between 2019 and 2024. Participants were categorized into two groups based on whether they received a testicular prosthesis. This retrospective study assessed psychosocial outcomes following radical orchiectomy, using telephone-administered Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale assessments and a study-specific, non-validated satisfaction questionnaire. Comparative analysis was performed using the Student's t-test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.  Results: Of 110 eligible patients, 92 completed follow-up surveys (41 with prosthesis, 51 without). Patients with prostheses had significantly higher self-esteem scores (mean 31.8 vs. 23.6; p = 0.003). Global satisfaction with the implant was 100%, and 96% of recipients would undergo the procedure again. Dissatisfaction was most commonly reported for implant position (29%) and consistency (51%).  Conclusions: Immediate testicular prosthesis placement after orchiectomy may improve self-esteem and body satisfaction in testicular cancer survivors. These findings support the inclusion of prosthetic counseling as a routine component of surgical care, especially in health systems where reconstructive options are underutilized.