My friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 28 (roughly 14 years ago), right teticle was removed, treatments completed...etc, all went well and is cancer free. However; recently in June he was diagnosed with varicocele in left testicle, and has been enduring severe pain for the past 6 weeks (pain is sporadic, two weeks ago it was just about unbearable for him, the last five days the pain has subsided but not completely). He s had several Oncologist opinions and was given two options, micro surgery or embolization. He is very apprehensive about both procedures given if neither work, his optimism and spirits will be shattered, and will continue to have pain. Oncologists acknowledged the risks with only having one testicle, mainly the fact that it could cause more harm than good in the long run....is that true? He doesn t mind the procedures, it s the outcome that worries him, and he doesn t want to make the wrong decision. Basically it boils down to....is he better off living with moderate to sometimes severe pain, or risk causing more pain? Would you suggest he seriously considers one of these procedures? Any advice is tremendously appreciated.
Good Day, and thank you for being with Chat Doctor ! If the varicocele is causing the pain then I would suggest having the procedure to remove the varicocele. The best is still microsurgery having few complications and the lowest recurrence rate. I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications at