Ivan Basso testicular cancer surgery "successful," says hospital

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.”