Ivan Basso has undergone successful surgery in Milan to have his left testicle removed after the discovery earlier this week that he had cancer.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider was diagnosed during Monday’s rest day of the Tour de France in Pau, and immediately withdrew from the race to return to Italy for treatment.

A statement from the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan said that the surgery, carried out by a team led by Professor Francesco Montorsi, had been successful and that Basso was in a “good condition” and will be discharged today.

It added: “A histologic examination, the results of which will be available in the coming days, will determine whether or not he needs additional treatment. The long-term prognosis of this type of testicular cancer is excellent.

“Testicular cancer is the most common malignant disease in young adults (considering the so-called solid tumors) and accounts for 1 per cent of all tumors in men.

“Each year between three and 10 cases are diagnosed per 100,000 men, with a peak incidence (the number of new cases diagnosed each year) among those aged between 30 and 40 years.

The statement concluded: “Globally it is a disease with excellent response rates to treatment and consequent recovery. Like all tumour-related diseases, in the case of testicular cancer early diagnosis is crucial.”