Man with testicular cancer bleeds uncontrollably after botched surgery

It does not pay to be a penny pincher, a man in China learnt this the painful way when he developed complications after a botched surgery to remove his diseased testicles.

According to Chinese media, the 30-year-old patient surnamed Li had pain in his groin and sought medical advice at a nearby clinic.

He was told he had cancer which required the removal of his testicles.

Daunted by the 8,000 yuan (S$1,700) surgery fee, Li turned to the popular social chat platform QQ and took up a medical intern's treatment offer at 1,000 yuan (S$210).

He underwent surgery in the medical intern's dormitory on Dec 26 last year.

While recuperating in a nearby motel room, Li became giddy and developed a fever - the classic signs of an infection.

He also started to bleed uncontrollably, which led him to be taken to a hospital for treatment.

There, doctors stemmed the bleeding and found that Li had oedema (fluid buildup) from the botched surgery.

Due to the swelling in his groin, they were unable to determine whether Li's testicles had been removed.

Li is now in stable condition, but the possibility of him fathering children is still uncertain.

The medical intern who performed the botched surgery has since resigned from his post. Chinese authorities are investigating the incident.

How to check for signs of testicular cancer

Dr Patricia Kho, an oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre, advises men to perform this self-test for testicular cancer once a month.

1. Roll each testicle between your thumb and forefinger to check for lumps or bumps. Do not squeeze it.

2. Testicular cancer usually affects one testicle at a time so it helps to compare the size, shape, and texture of both testicles. Do not mistake the epididymis (sperm collecting tube) which runs behind each testicle for an abnormal lump.

minlee@sph.com.sg